YAOUNDE, June 27 (Xinhua) -- Minister of Health and Population of the Central African Republic (CAR) Pierre Somse has declared a cholera outbreak after 24 deaths from the disease were recorded.

In a televised statement broadcast Friday evening, Somse said cholera cases were reported in the Bimbo and M'baiki health districts in southwestern CAR.

The first suspected cases were detected June 14 in the Bimbo health district, he said.

"To date, 197 cases have been identified, including 24 deaths, representing a case fatality rate of 12.2 percent. However, no deaths have been reported among patients treated in health facilities or within communities, thanks to rapid medical interventions," Somse said, urging the population to remain calm while strictly adhering to hygienic and preventive measures.

Cholera is a highly virulent disease characterized in its most severe form by a sudden onset of acute watery diarrhea that can lead to death by severe dehydration. ■