Thirteen people in the Nalong electoral area in the Tamale metropolis are reported dead following a suspected outbreak of cholera. An Assistant Director at the Tamale metropolitan assembly, Iddrisu Karim who disclosed this to Joy News says the victims experience vomiting and diarrhea in three areas of the metropolis; Bayon-Waya, Lamashegu and Nalong. Mr Karim said the assembly was liaising with the metropolitan health directorate to deal with the problem, and has also informed Ministry of Health in Accra for assistance. According to Joy News correspondent Mahama Shaibu, six other persons are on admission at the Tamale Regional Hospital and the West End Hospital. Health officials say initial investigations pointed to insanitary conditions as cause of the outbreak. Residents are alleged to have defecated indiscriminately around a large pond that serves as a source of water for human and livestock. The metropolitan health directorate and the district assembly are to embark on an education and disinfection programmes in the areas to help curtail the outbreak. The Northern Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Seidu Korkor regretted that the incidence came to their attention rather late, for while the outbreak started on the 4th of August, his health officials were alerted on August 10, six days after it had taken some toll.