DAKAR, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- A total of 211 people have been killed in Guinea-Bissau which is hard hit by a major outbreak of the disease since May, according to a report released Tuesday by the country's cholera-treatment center.

    So far, 12,528 Cholera cases have been reported in the outbreak, the worst since 2005.

    The treatment center in the capital city of Dakar admits more than 100 cholera patients daily, and every week around 1,000 people across the country are tested positive of the disease.

    Minister of Social Communication Fernando Mendonca confirmed the data in a phone interview with Xinhua on Tuesday, saying that due to the shortage of funds and medical personnel, the health departments now are unable to contain the growingly serious outbreak of the disease which hits the country at every rainy season.

    Moreover, many of the local people take the bodies of their families killed by the disease home from hospitals for burial without any disinfection treatment, which has also contributed to the spread of the disease.

    Cholera, one of the most deadly diseases, is a highly contagious water-borne disease which causes a copious, painless, watery diarrhea that can quickly lead to severe dehydration and even death if not treated promptly.