Malawi has registered 18 new cholera cases and one new death, the Ministry of Health said on Sunday.

Of the 18 cases reported, four cases are from Blantyre, five from Nsanje, seven from Machinga and two from Balaka.

Cumulatively, Malawi has recorded 485 cases including 22 deaths across seven southern region districts including Nsanje, Chikwawa, Blantyre, Mulanje, Machinga, Balaka and Neno since the outbreak was confirmed in March.

Currently, there are 35 admissions in the treatment centers.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with bacteria.

The disease affects both children and adults and, if untreated, can kill within hours.