Forty-five patients had been diagnosed with cholera in Burkina-Faso, of whom four have died, a Health Ministry official confirmed Monday

A Health Ministry official, who identified him as Dr. Zombre, said in Burkina-Faso's capital of Ouagadougouin that of the 45 cholera cases reported, 26 were recorded in eastern Ouagadougou, of which three patients had died.

He also said the Hospital Center of Yalgado Ouedraogo University had recorded another 17 cholera cases with one death.

"It is a situation that is not grave but still worrying, because according to the criteria of the World Health Organization (WHO), just one case of cholera is equivalent to an epidemic," said Zombre.

Therefore, he urged residents to remain calm and respect hygiene standards, so that they will be able to control the spread of the disease. He also emphasized that the situation is under control.

Moreover, Zombre advised residents to pay more attention to symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Urgent measures have been adopted to prevent the spread of cholera. Hospitals have received increased funding so that they can provide free treatment for patients and also improve their monitoring of epidemics, he added.

The Health Ministry has distributed medicine, saline solution, daily necessities, and sterilizing products throughout the affected zone in order to prepare for a possible large-scale spread.

Cholera, contracted from a bacteria present in contaminated water or food, causes violent diarrhea and severe dehydration, and can be fatel unless treated within 24 hours.

Source: Xinhua