Cholera cases in Syria rise due to Euphrates’ low level – UN
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The UN attributed on October 18 the raise in cholera cases in Syria to severe decline in Euphrates River water level, drought-like conditions, and people recourse to unsecured water sources.
Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, said 15.823 suspected cases of cholera were recorded across Syria, according to data obtained by World Health Organization (WHO) up to October 14.
There have been 807 confirmed cholera cases, and 68 reported deaths across the country, according to Dujarric.
On October 15, Media Office of the Ministry of Health of the Syrian government said cholera infections the government-held areas has reached 825 confirmed cases and 43 deaths.
It is attributed to drinking polluted water from the Euphrates River and the irrigation of fields by contaminated springs in the northeast, according to the UN.
Turkey has been holding water of the Euphrates within its territory since 2020 amid warns that a humanitarian catastrophe is to face the region soon especially with the river declining to record levels.
Euphrates River recession due to Turkey’s seizure provides a proper environment for reproduction of bacteria and disease-causing viruses.
During the past two years, the level of the Euphrates has fell to unprecedented records, after the amount of water flowing from Turkey towards Syria has decreased to below 200 cubic meters per second, which is less than half the amount agreed upon between the Syrian and Turkish governments in 1987.
“Our humanitarian partners say they are facing shortages in cholera supplies, such as medicines and water and sanitation and hygiene supplies,” Dujarric added.