WHO reports 10.000 suspected cholera cases in Syria
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Wednesday evening more than 10.000 cholera suspected infections in Syria in the past six weeks.
Chief of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, after years of declining cholera cases, “a worrying upsurge” of deadly outbreaks across the world has emerged over the past year – including in 27 countries since January.
Tedros added that the average case fatality rate so far this year, is almost three times that of the past five years.
He pointed out that “In Syria, more than 10.000 suspected cases of cholera have been reported just in the past six weeks.“
Though lethal, the disease is preventable and treatable with the right planning and action, said Tedros.
On October 4, Ministry of Health of the Syrian government announced the total number of confirmed cases of cholera in 11 Syrian governorates and the death toll reached 39.
According to the ministry’s statement, 594 confirmed cholera cases have been recorded throughout Syria.
On September 21, Health Board of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) revealed 2.867 suspected cases, 78 confirmed ones of cholera and 16 deaths of the pandemic have been recorded.
Tedros acknowledged that many cannot access simple interventions, such as vaccines, safe water and sanitation, oral rehydration or antibiotics for more severe cases.