According to the World Health Organization, 14 people have died of cholera in Iraq in the past six weeks. More than 2,200 cases have been reported in Kirkuk since mid-August and cases of the disease have been confirmed in nine of Iraq's 18 provinces. Dr. Naeema al-Gasseer of WHO said the number of deaths from cholera is still very low at less than one percent - but the more indicative public health information is found by monitoring the pattern of the spread of disease and the number of new cases.
In Kirkuk that number is increasing by as much as 100 a day and it can no longer be denied that the disease has reached Baghdad with the recent confirmed death of a 40-year-old woman there. The provinces of Basra, Dahuk, Wasit and Diyala are reporting an increasing number of cases and the Health Ministry reports a total of 3,315 confirmed cases countrywide.
The Khaleej Times of Dubai, UAE reports:
"Iraq's cholera outbreak should not really have taken authorities by surprise. With the overburdened hospitals, the near total power and water supply breakdown, and the massive homelessness, just such a scenario was, if anything, staring the administration square between the eyes for some time now."
Although an outbreak of the disease was expected, the sharp increase in cases coupled with the confirmed spread to Wasit in central Iraq is cause for growing concern.
Presently, WHO is attempting to get 5,000,000 chlorine pills for water purification into the country and has dispatched two epidemiologists to assist Iraq's Health Ministry. Although the Organization has not restricted travel, neighboring countries have been advised to "reinforce surveillance and prevention systems."
Just yesterday Iraqi Health Official Adel Mohsen told the Iraq Council of Representatives that a shipment of chlorine pills and crystals necessary for water decontamination was rejected at the border by security officials. According to Mohsen, the shipment is being held at the Iraqi/Syrian border by ministries of defense, interior and security. Mohsen says more than 150 million chlorine pills will be needed by the end of the year.