WHO, UNICEF launch cholera vaccination campaign in northwest Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The WHO and UNICEF, together with the Syria Immunization Group and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, have begun a ten-day cholera vaccination campaign in the earthquake-hit northwest Syria.
According to a statement by the WHO and UNICEF, 1.400 teams of health workers and volunteers will distribute 1.7 million doses of cholera vaccine across Sarmada, Maaret Tamsrin, Dana, and Atmeh in the Idlib region, as well as the Azaz district in Aleppo. Afrin, which was hardest-hit by the February 6 earthquakes, did not figure in the list.
Over 50.000 suspected cases have been recorded in Aleppo and Idlib since the outbreak declared in September 2022. Two weeks after the earthquake, 1.784 new cases were recorded in Syria, according to the statement.
The WHO says 2.1 million Syrians are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases like cholera in the country’s northwest.
Dr Richard Brennan, Emergency Director for the WHO’s East Mediterranean office said the “WHO and partners have to act now to avoid further illness and death. As the cholera vaccines are orally administered, it is crucial to ensure that targeted populations are reached before the beginning of Holy month of Ramadan, as most adults will be fasting during this period.” This year, Ramadan begins on March 22.