The Department of Health (DOH) has declared an outbreak of cholera in two areas in the Visayas.

According to the DOH, the affected areas are Sitio Badjao Bridge, Barangay Totolan in Dauis town, Bohol, and Carnaza Island in Daanbantayan town, Cebu.

Seventy-five residents of the Sitio Badjao Bridge were rushed to the hospital last week, but are now recovering.

Meanwhile, more than a hundred people on Carnaza Island were confirmed to be infected with cholera.

Many had been complaining of severe diarrhea. A 4-year-old boy was reported to have died, but was diagnosed with asthma prior to his severe diarrhea.

The DOH has sent new water containers and water-purification chemicals to the affected areas.

Residents of the said areas have been briefed about cleaning their surroundings and maintaining proper sanitation to prevent another outbreak.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "cholera is an extremely virulent disease that can cause severe acute watery diarrhea."

"Cholera affects both children and adults, and can kill within hours if untreated," WHO said on its website.

Cholera usually spreads in areas that lack clean water and proper sanitation facilities.