Israel’s cholera outbreak worsened today as the government pressed a massive sanitation campaign and continued to seek the source of the disease. There were 13 new cases diagnosed over the week-end and seven more reported yesterday and today bringing the total to 74. Most of the cases are in the Jerusalem area but Health Minister Victor Shemtov warned that the disease could spread to other parts of the country. He conceded that the Ministry has been unable to isolate the source of the outbreak. He said he was seeking approval to enlist Gadna, Israel’s para-military youth corps, and other youth movements to serve as volunteer health inspectors to see that sanitary measures are enforced. The Health Minister denied allegations in the press that the government was delaying mass inoculations for financial reasons. He said there was no shortage of money for vaccine but for valid medical reasons, inoculations are not being administered on a mass basis. Mr. Shemtov disclosed that his inspectors so far have shut down five hostels, an ice cream factory in Ramat Gan and two restaurants in Nahariya.
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