Niamey, Aug 20, 2021, SPA -- The cholera epidemic has killed 35 people in Niger. More than 800 cases have been recorded across the West African country including in the capital Niamey, Niger's Ministry of Health said. On Monday the caseload in Niger rose to 845 and the death toll to 35 - a mortality rate of 4.2 percent, according to figures released by the ministry's epidemiology section. The highly contagious disease is caused by bacteria transmitted by dirty water, resulting in severe diarrhoea which can lead to death. --SPA 14:51 LOCAL TIME 11:51 GMT 0017 www.spa.gov.sa/w1605010