A cholera outbreak that has killed 29 in Syria is posing a threat to the front lines of the country’s 11-year war and raising concerns in overcrowded camps for displaced people without running water or sanitation. The outbreak, which was first linked to contaminated water near the Euphrates River, has now spread across the fractured country, with cases reported in government- and rebel-held areas. In total, at least 2,000 cases have been reported so far.
“How am I supposed to catch cholera when the sewage is running right next to our tent?” said Sobha al-Jadoue, 60, who lives in a camp for displaced people in the rebel-held Idlib region. “We can no longer sleep or sit because of the smell. Sewage poured into my tent a few days ago.” Cholera is spread by ingestion of contaminated food or water and can cause acute diarrhea. While most affected will have mild or no symptoms, cholera can kill within hours if left untreated, according to the World Health Organization website.
The devastation caused by the Syrian conflict has left the country particularly vulnerable, destroying much of its infrastructure, including water pumping and treatment plants. Climate change has exacerbated water scarcity. “Because of the war, there has been a lot of destruction of health infrastructure and infrastructure in general, so if it spreads in these areas – especially in the camps – it could have a serious impact on health and kill a lot of people,” Shahem Mekki said. , which operates a disease surveillance center in the area.
The war has killed about 350,000 people since it spiraled into a 2011 uprising against President Bashar al-Assad. The World Health Organization reports that 55% of the country’s health facilities are down due to the war. The first cases of cholera were detected on September 5 in Deir al-Zor province before spreading to other areas including the cities of Raqqa and Hasakah, said Jawan Mustafa, health director of the Kurdish-administered northeastern Syria.
He said there are more than 4,350 suspected cholera cases and 100 confirmed cases in northeastern Syria. “Cases are increasing, but thankfully slowly,” he said. Amshah Shehade, 45, said she brought her daughter to a hospital in Hasaka because of diarrhea and dizziness, and that her grandson was suffering from the same symptoms. “It was caused by contaminated tank water,” she said. There are awareness campaigns on the causes, symptoms and prevention of cholera.
Eva Hinds, head of communications for the UN children’s agency UNICEF in Syria, said the agency and its partners have increased water transport and chlorination in cholera outbreaks to ensure access to clean water. “Now is the time to act. We are investing heavily in measures to prevent further spread,” she said.
