20 die of cholera in Nigeria

At least 20 people have died in a cholera outbreak in Nigeria's Plateau state, hospital officials said Tuesday.

The cholera epidemic has ravaged Barkin Ladi area since last week, Xinhua quoted a hospital official as saying.

However, local government chairman Emmanuel Loman admitted only five deaths, with 32 people hospitalised.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection that causes severe vomiting and diarrhoea, leading to acute dehydration. It can be fatal if not treated properly.