Floods raise disease risk in West Africa: WHO

GENEVA (Reuters) - Seasonal floods in West Africa, which have uprooted more than 200,000 people, are increasing the risk of deadly diseases including cholera which has already struck, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday.

Cholera has broken out in Benin, with 1 confirmed death among 192 known cases since the annual flooding began in July, WHO spokesman Paul Garwood told a news briefing.

In Guinea-Bissau, a cholera outbreak which began in May before the heavy rains began has infected 2,018 people causing 41 deaths, he said.

Cholera, transmitted mainly through contaminated water and food, begins with acute watery diarrhea that in severe cases can cause death by dehydration and kidney failure within hours.

Six countries -- Benin, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Togo -- need urgent aid after floods caused widespread damage and massive displacement, according to the United Nations agency. Some 150,000 are displaced in Benin alone, it said.

"This displacement is compounding the health problems in the region, raising the risk of communicable diseases," Garwood said, noting that the annual floods continue until September.

Malaria is the main cause of illness and death in West Africa. Meningitis, cholera and yellow fever also claim scores of lives each year in the region.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; editing by Tim Pearce)