Thirteen samples of cholera detected in Zaporizhia region

According to the service, the region’s health services have begun to actively check small rivers in the region.

As a result of these checks, 13 samples of vibrios were found, including in Zaporizhia, Melitopol and Berdiansk.

The region’s chief sanitary doctor, Anatoliy Sevalniov, told the agency that the cholera-like vibrio was not Vibrio cholerae, and that people could not be made ill with cholera by this type of vibrio.

The doctor said that a cholera-like vibrio was only a sign of there being conditions for the development of Vibrio cholerae and other dangerous bacteria.

"Zaporozhia regional health services are involved in the global monitoring of cholera. Given the cholera outbreak in Mariupol, Zaporozhia started monitoring earlier – from May 31 [and will conduct it] until October 31," he said.

"As a result, they found 13 samples of cholera-like vibrios in traditional spots: four vibrios in Zaporizhia – the upper pool of the Dnipro River near the port named after Lenin, and in the lower pool near the Kryva bay. Six cholera vibrios were found in Berdiansk – in the central beach and the whole area of the Berdiansk Bay. And three cholera vibrios in Melitopol – in the Molochna River," the region’s chief health official said.

"We are dealing with the cholera vibrio, which can very easily get into the body, and as easily get out of it, it cannot take root.

However, the presence of this vibrio indicates the possible appearance of dangerous Vibrio cholerae in this area," he said.

In addition, regional epidemiologists said they do not recommend swimming and fishing in the areas where cholera-like vibrios were found.