Morning Briefing

"Seasonal rains cause massive damage and disease throughout Nigeria each year, and this year's onslaught comes as international experts warn West Africa is suffering from its worst cholera outbreaks in years," the Associated Press/ABC News reports. According to UNICEF, Nigeria "had recorded more than 21,000 cholera cases this year by the end of September" and "[a]t least 694 people have died from the disease," the news agency writes. Twenty-five of Nigeria's 36 states have reported cholera cases, with most coinciding with local flooding, the AP notes, adding that "almost half of Nigeria's 150 million people lack access to clean water and proper sanitation, according to the World Health Organization" (Gambrell, 10/26).