WHO launches emergency cholera campaign in Syria

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a six-month emergency health, water and sanitation response in Syria, aiming to protect more than 850,000 of the most vulnerable people in Hasaka, Aleppo, Latakia and Damascus.

In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, the organization said the response came as cholera cases resurfaced in parts of Syria, and the risk of an outbreak increased as temperatures rose and summer returned.

The organization confirmed that cases began appearing late last year, with 1,444 suspected cholera cases and seven related deaths recorded between August and December last year.

According to the organization, the highest infection rates were recorded in Latakia, Hasaka and Aleppo.

This new wave of outbreaks, according to the organization's statement, is due to several factors, most notably the ongoing drought, population movements, and frequent interruptions in water and sanitation systems.

The organization's response brings together several vital sectors, such as health and water, sanitation and hygiene, with a focus on early detection, case investigation, diagnosis of cholera, and deployment of rapid response teams in high-risk areas.

The response also includes risk communication, infection prevention and control, sustainable water quality monitoring, as well as the distribution of water purification tablets and testing kits to reduce the risk of transmission from unsafe water sources.

The response is designed to detect cholera outbreaks early, quickly isolate risks, and help communities protect themselves, said Christina Bethke, the World Health Organization's acting representative in Syria.

In addition, the organization is promoting water safety testing in camps and communities, providing teams with purification kits, and delivering key health messages to reduce the risk of exposure to cholera.

Sh-S

ANHA