N’Djamena, Aug. 7 (SANA)A cholera outbreak in Chad has killed 13 people and infected nearly 240 others since the government officially declared the epidemic in late July, as health authorities continue efforts to contain the spread of the disease, the Health Ministry announced Thursday.

The ministry, in a statement cited by AFP, said the number of recorded cases nationwide as of Monday reached 239, including 13 deaths, with a case fatality rate of 5.4 percent. Most infections were concentrated in the Hadjer-Lamis region in the north and the capital N’Djamena, according to the statement.

The capital N’Djamena recorded 11 deaths during August, reflecting the rapid spread of the disease in densely populated urban areas, the ministry said.

The ministry said limited access to safe drinking water and sanitation services in Chad remain key factors contributing to the continued spread of cholera, despite modern water treatment and sanitation systems having largely eliminated the disease in most developed countries.

According to Chadian health authorities, approximately 50,800 people have received cholera vaccines since the outbreak was officially declared on July 24, as part of a campaign aimed at curbing the spread of infection and protecting the most vulnerable groups.

The first deaths linked to the outbreak were recorded on June 13, more than a month before authorities officially declared the epidemic.

Several African countries have experienced cholera outbreaks in recent months, including the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria, amid ongoing challenges related to access to clean water and improved sanitation services.

Cholera is a bacterial disease transmitted through contaminated water or food, and can be easily treated if diagnosed early, but can be fatal if left untreated.