ReliefWeb

PNG correspondent Liam Fox

There's been a sharp rise in the number of cholera infections in Papua New Guinea's capital, Port Moresby.

Health authorities have revealed there were 295 serious cases of cholera in Port Moresby in December.

So far this month, there have been a further 138.

One man died from the acute intestinal infection last week.

The city's cholera task force leader, Dr Timothy Pyakalyia, says wet weather and large gatherings of people over the holidays are to blame for surge in infections.

"We need co-operation from the people because people themselves are responsible for the disease's spread, by what you put in your mouth (as) it's not airborne," he said.

"Altogether there have been six deaths and nearly 4000 infections since the contagious disease arrived in the capital last April."