Bujumbura — At least 42 people have been afflicted in an outbreak of cholera in the north-eastern province of Cibitoke, according to health officials.

"The rate of infection keeps on rising," Martin Bayisingize, the provincial director of health, said. The disease was confirmed to be cholera.

Several localities in the Rugombo commune of the province have been affected, Bayisingize said. Rugombo does not have a supply of clean drinking water, he said.

The Red Cross is disinfecting the households of those affected by the disease. Hygiene and sanitation sensitisation among local residents is also ongoing but more needs to be done, he said.

The health ministry has also sent medical supplies to the province. "We have been re-hydrating seriously affected patients," Bayisingize said.

Poor hygiene, a lack of latrines and clean drinking water have contributed to the continuing threat of cholera in the province.

Cholera is an acute, diarrhoeal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae and is characterised by profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting and leg cramps. Without treatment, in severe cases death can occur within hours.

[ This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations ]