WHO: Number of possible cholera infections more than doubles to 16,000

Above: Canals are exposed to many forms of contamination in Iraq, where they may be used for watering animals, swimming, and drinking water. Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease caused by bacteria ingested in contaminated water or food. In its most severe forms, cholera is one of the most rapidly fatal illnesses known: A healthy person may become hypotensive within an hour of the onset of symptoms and may die within 2-3 hours if no treatment is provided. Death is by dehydration through massive diarrhea.

Cholera has spread in northern Iraq, where the diarrhoeal disease has stricken 16,000 people and caused 10 deaths in a month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday.

The doubling of known cases, from 7,000 earlier this week, is probably due to better surveillance by health authorities, although the death toll remains the same, it said.

"The cholera outbreak has now infected 16,000 people including 10 deaths in the provinces of Sulaimaniya, Kirkuk and Erbil in northern Iraq," WHO spokeswoman Fadela Chaib told a news briefing...

"Dr. Al-Gasseer warned that delays in ensuring access to safe water, safe food and enhanced hygiene practices ... combined with the lack of sanitation could lead to further spread of cholera," Chaib said.

Read the rest at Reuters

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