¡¡CAPE TOWN, Feb. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Africa faces possible outbreak of water-borne diseases like cholera and shift of vector-born diseases like malaria to a new areas, warned health minister here on Monday.

    Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said a media briefing in the parliament that the current drought affecting many parts ofthe country is posing some health challenges particularly with thepossible outbreak of such diseases.

    "We have been able to contain some few cases of cholera that have been reported over the past year and we are also ensuring epidemic preparedness and response in all districts," she said.

    The minister said that the fight against malaria in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is gaining momentum and has been boosted with the allocation of resources from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria to the Lebombo Spatial Development Initiative.

    She said that such diseases would possibly spread in the South African region. South Africa is now cooperating with neighboring countries, including Zimbabwe and Mozambique, to use DDT to control the diseases.

    As to the HIV/AIDS issue, the minister used the opportunity of a parliamentary media briefing to again urge journalists to spreadher message that AIDS sufferers should use olive oil, lemon and garlic to boost their immune systems. Enditem