Warden Message: Iraq Cholera Outbreak
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Middle East / N. Africa - Iraq
25 Sep 2007
U.S. Embassy Baghdad issued the following Warden Message on September 25, 2007:
Since late July, health authorities in the Sulaymaniyah, Tamim (Kirkuk), and Erbil Provinces of northern Iraq have reported nearly 15,000 cases of acute diarrheal disease among the population. In lab tests, over 1,600 cases have been confirmed as cholera. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers this to be an outbreak of cholera in Iraq. As of September 20, the WHO reports isolated cases of cholera elsewhere in Iraq.
The WHO reports nine deaths in Sulaymaniyah Province and one in Tamim (Kirkuk) Province due to diarrheal disease. The WHO and the Government of Iraq are working closely, along with a number of non-governmental organizations, to mobilize a strong response to the outbreak.
At present, the WHO does not recommend any special restrictions to travel or trade to or from affected areas. American citizens in Iraq are nevertheless urged to watch for symptoms of diarrheal disease and to seek medical attention as necessary.
American citizens working or living in Iraq should take proper precautions, which include:
- Washing of hands with soap and hot water before eating.
- Drinking only bottled water or water that has been boiled prior to consumption.
- Peeling of all fruits and vegetables before consumption.
- Consumption of food that has been properly cooked. Avoid eating food being sold by street vendors if you cannot properly prepare it.
- No bathing or washing in streams or standing water.
Cholera is not transmitted by casual contact with other people. The cases reported thus far are occurring in private homes and not in public restaurants.
For additional information on the cholera outbreak in Iraq , please visit the WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2007_09_14/en/index.html, or look for further updates at http://www.who.int/en/.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html, the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, the Iraq Consular Information Sheet http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1144.html and Travel Warning can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE /><SKYPE:SPAN onmouseup="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,1,'0' ,true,16,'');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" class=skype_tb_injection oncontextmenu="javascript:skype_tb_SwitchDrop(this ,'0','sms=0');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmousedown="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,2,' 0',true,16,'');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=softomate_highlight_0 onmouseover="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,1,' 0',true,16,'');" title="Call this phone number in United States of America with Skype: +18884074747" onclick="javascript:doRunCMD('call','0',null,0);re turn skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmouseout="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,0,'0 ',true,16,'');" durex="0" context="1-888-407-4747"><SKYPE:SPAN onmouseup="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'0',1,1,16) ;return skype_tb_stopEvents();" class=skype_tb_imgA onmousedown="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'0',2,1,1 6);return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=skype_tb_droppart_0 onmouseover="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'0',1,1,1 6);" title="Change country code ..." style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__Skype IEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\s tatic\inactive_a.compat.flex.w16.gif)" onclick="javascript:doHandleChdial(this,1,'0',1);r eturn skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmouseout="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'0',0,1,16 );"><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgFlag id=skype_tb_img_f0 style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__Skype IEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\s tatic\famfamfam/US.gif)"></SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgS id=skype_tb_img_s0></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_injectionIn id=skype_tb_text0><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_innerText id=skype_tb_innerText0>1-888-407-4747</SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgR id=skype_tb_img_r0></SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN> toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at <SKYPE:SPAN onmouseup="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,1,'1' ,true,16,'');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" class=skype_tb_injection oncontextmenu="javascript:skype_tb_SwitchDrop(this ,'1','sms=0');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmousedown="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,2,' 1',true,16,'');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=softomate_highlight_1 onmouseover="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,1,' 1',true,16,'');" title="Call this phone number in United States of America with Skype: +12025014444" onclick="javascript:doRunCMD('call','1',null,0);re turn skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmouseout="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,0,'1 ',true,16,'');" durex="499" context="1-202-501-4444"><SKYPE:SPAN onmouseup="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'1',1,1,16) ;return skype_tb_stopEvents();" class=skype_tb_imgA onmousedown="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'1',2,1,1 6);return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=skype_tb_droppart_1 onmouseover="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'1',1,1,1 6);" title="Change country code ..." style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__Skype IEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\s tatic\inactive_a.compat.flex.w16.gif)" onclick="javascript:doHandleChdial(this,1,'1',1);r eturn skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmouseout="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'1',0,1,16 );"><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgFlag id=skype_tb_img_f1 style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__Skype IEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\s tatic\famfamfam/US.gif)"></SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgS id=skype_tb_img_s1></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_injectionIn id=skype_tb_text1><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_innerText id=skype_tb_innerText1>1-202-501-4444</SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgR id=skype_tb_img_r1></SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN>. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Consular Affairs Bulletins
Middle East / N. Africa - Iraq
25 Sep 2007
U.S. Embassy Baghdad issued the following Warden Message on September 25, 2007:
Since late July, health authorities in the Sulaymaniyah, Tamim (Kirkuk), and Erbil Provinces of northern Iraq have reported nearly 15,000 cases of acute diarrheal disease among the population. In lab tests, over 1,600 cases have been confirmed as cholera. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers this to be an outbreak of cholera in Iraq. As of September 20, the WHO reports isolated cases of cholera elsewhere in Iraq.
The WHO reports nine deaths in Sulaymaniyah Province and one in Tamim (Kirkuk) Province due to diarrheal disease. The WHO and the Government of Iraq are working closely, along with a number of non-governmental organizations, to mobilize a strong response to the outbreak.
At present, the WHO does not recommend any special restrictions to travel or trade to or from affected areas. American citizens in Iraq are nevertheless urged to watch for symptoms of diarrheal disease and to seek medical attention as necessary.
American citizens working or living in Iraq should take proper precautions, which include:
- Washing of hands with soap and hot water before eating.
- Drinking only bottled water or water that has been boiled prior to consumption.
- Peeling of all fruits and vegetables before consumption.
- Consumption of food that has been properly cooked. Avoid eating food being sold by street vendors if you cannot properly prepare it.
- No bathing or washing in streams or standing water.
Cholera is not transmitted by casual contact with other people. The cases reported thus far are occurring in private homes and not in public restaurants.
For additional information on the cholera outbreak in Iraq , please visit the WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/don/2007_09_14/en/index.html, or look for further updates at http://www.who.int/en/.
For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site at http://travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html, the Middle East and North Africa Public Announcement, the Iraq Consular Information Sheet http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1144.html and Travel Warning can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = SKYPE /><SKYPE:SPAN onmouseup="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,1,'0' ,true,16,'');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" class=skype_tb_injection oncontextmenu="javascript:skype_tb_SwitchDrop(this ,'0','sms=0');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmousedown="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,2,' 0',true,16,'');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=softomate_highlight_0 onmouseover="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,1,' 0',true,16,'');" title="Call this phone number in United States of America with Skype: +18884074747" onclick="javascript:doRunCMD('call','0',null,0);re turn skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmouseout="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,0,'0 ',true,16,'');" durex="0" context="1-888-407-4747"><SKYPE:SPAN onmouseup="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'0',1,1,16) ;return skype_tb_stopEvents();" class=skype_tb_imgA onmousedown="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'0',2,1,1 6);return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=skype_tb_droppart_0 onmouseover="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'0',1,1,1 6);" title="Change country code ..." style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__Skype IEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\s tatic\inactive_a.compat.flex.w16.gif)" onclick="javascript:doHandleChdial(this,1,'0',1);r eturn skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmouseout="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'0',0,1,16 );"><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgFlag id=skype_tb_img_f0 style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__Skype IEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\s tatic\famfamfam/US.gif)"></SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgS id=skype_tb_img_s0></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_injectionIn id=skype_tb_text0><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_innerText id=skype_tb_innerText0>1-888-407-4747</SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgR id=skype_tb_img_r0></SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN> toll free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at <SKYPE:SPAN onmouseup="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,1,'1' ,true,16,'');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" class=skype_tb_injection oncontextmenu="javascript:skype_tb_SwitchDrop(this ,'1','sms=0');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmousedown="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,2,' 1',true,16,'');return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=softomate_highlight_1 onmouseover="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,1,' 1',true,16,'');" title="Call this phone number in United States of America with Skype: +12025014444" onclick="javascript:doRunCMD('call','1',null,0);re turn skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmouseout="javascript:skype_tb_imgOnOff(this,0,'1 ',true,16,'');" durex="499" context="1-202-501-4444"><SKYPE:SPAN onmouseup="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'1',1,1,16) ;return skype_tb_stopEvents();" class=skype_tb_imgA onmousedown="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'1',2,1,1 6);return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=skype_tb_droppart_1 onmouseover="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'1',1,1,1 6);" title="Change country code ..." style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__Skype IEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\s tatic\inactive_a.compat.flex.w16.gif)" onclick="javascript:doHandleChdial(this,1,'1',1);r eturn skype_tb_stopEvents();" onmouseout="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'1',0,1,16 );"><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgFlag id=skype_tb_img_f1 style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__Skype IEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\s tatic\famfamfam/US.gif)"></SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgS id=skype_tb_img_s1></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_injectionIn id=skype_tb_text1><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_innerText id=skype_tb_innerText1>1-202-501-4444</SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN><SKYPE:SPAN class=skype_tb_imgR id=skype_tb_img_r1></SKYPE:SPAN></SKYPE:SPAN>. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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