Cholera in Iraq

ABSTRACT

On 25 August 2008, the Ministry of Health of Iraq reported, to WHO, the first laboratory confirmed cases of cholera from Baghdad as well as from Missan- a province in the south of Iraq bordering with Iran. This is the first time this year that Iraq reported cases of cholera. As predicted earlier in the year, [please see Weekly Epi Monitor, issue no 31, dated 03 August 2008] the cases came during the month of Autumn [August- September]. By 28 August 2008, Iraq reported a total of 62 cases of cholera including 7 deaths [CFR 11.2%] out of which 7 cases were laboratory confirmed so far. Of these, 6 cases including 1 death were reported from Baghdad while 56 cases including 6 deaths were reported from Missan province. Vibrio cholerae El-Tor 01 serotype Inaba was identified as the causative strain for both these two clusters of cholera cases in Iraq. The Ministry of Health in Iraq with support from WHO-Iraq has undertaken appropriate public health measures to stop transmission and limit spread of cholera to other at-risk provinces of