Health experts noted that the disaster may have contributed to the growing number of cholera cases that are now also affecting the region, which first became evident around the second week of September.

Mexico’s Ministry of Health has reported a total of 171 cases of infection with cholera to the World Health Organization (WHO) between Sept 9 and Oct 18, 2013.

Of the confirmed cases of cholera, the largest outbreak has occurred in the state of Hidalgo, accounting for 157 cases. An additional nine cases have occurred in the state of Mexico.