DAR ES SALAAM, March 1 (Xinhua) -- At least 26 people have been killed by cholera in mainland Tanzania's 10 regions since the outbreak of the disease was reported on Jan. 5 through Feb. 8, the Health Ministry said Friday.

In addition, 816 cholera cases were recorded in the 10 regions during the period under review, according to a statement released by the ministry.

The outbreak of the disease was caused by ongoing heavy rains that led to poor access to potable water and a lack of sanitation facilities and community awareness, the ministry said. The 10 affected regions are Dodoma, Kagera, Katavi, Manyara, Mara, Morogoro, Mwanza, Shinyanga, Simiyu and Tabora.

Local health officials have implemented multiple outbreak response measures, including strengthening disease surveillance, enhancing community engagement and disseminating risk communication on cholera to the public, said the statement.

According to the Ministry of Health, a cholera outbreak was reported in 12 regions in 2023, and there were 927 cholera patients with 27 deaths last year.