Vietnam's Ministry of Health on Wednesday said the country confirmed 19 more cases of cholera in the past ten days, raising the total number of cholera patients to139 so far since April, local newspaper the New Hanoi reported Thursday.

The newly-confirmed 19 cases are in the northern province of Bac Ninh, said the ministry.

Among the 16 municipalities and localities having cholera patients, eight has reported no more cases of the disease in the past 14 days.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Health Trinh Quang Huan said the country might have new cholera cases in the coming days because the current weather conditions would make it easier for the disease to spread.

Huan asked authorities of municipalities and localities to closely monitor the community, timely set a limit to the area where there are new patients, and promote activities to raise people's awareness of the disease.

(Xinhua News Agency June 18, 2009)