Warden Message: Iraq Cholera Outbreak

[sharon sanders]

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);return 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',2,1,16);return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=skype_tb_droppart_0 onmouseover="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'0',1,1,16);" title="Change country code ..." style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\static\inactive_a.compat.flex.w16.gif)" onclick="javascript:doHandleChdial(this,1,'0',1);return 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\__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\static\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);return 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',2,1,16);return skype_tb_stopEvents();" id=skype_tb_droppart_1 onmouseover="javascript:doSkypeFlag(this,'1',1,1,16);" title="Change country code ..." style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(C:\Users\Sharon\AppData\Local\Temp\Low\__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\static\inactive_a.compat.flex.w16.gif)" onclick="javascript:doHandleChdial(this,1,'1',1);return 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\__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache\e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506\static\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).

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Warden Message: Iraq Cholera Outbreak

Cholera in Iraq - update 2

25 September 2007
Since late August 2007, an outbreak of cholera has spread to 25 districts of Northern Iraq and 4 districts in Southern Iraq and across the centre of the country. It is estimated that more than 30 000 people have fallen ill with acute watery diarrhoea, among which 2 116 were identified as positive for Vibrio cholerae. The case fatality rate is 0.52% and has remained low throughout the outbreak, although it continues to spread across Iraq and dissemination to as yet unaffected areas remains highly possible.
The outbreak was first detected in Kirkuk province, where 68% of laboratory-confirmed cholera cases have so far been reported, and then spread to Sulaymaniah and Erbil provinces. Additional isolated cases of Cholera have also been identified in other parts of the country, including Tikrit (6 cases confirmed), Mosul (2 cases confirmed), Basra (1 case confirmed), Baghdad (2 cases confirmed) and Dahuk (1 case confirmed).
The Government of Iraq has mobilized a multi-sectoral response to the outbreak. Specific control measures have been reinforced and preventive measures to reduce the risk of transmission to unaffected areas have been put in place. However, a severe shortage of chlorination products has been noted and replenishment is urgently needed to enable water supplies to be treated to render it safe for human consumption. Provision of safe water is the highest priority in controlling an outbreak of cholera.
WHO continues to support the National and local health authorities in the ongoing response operations. Ten interagency diarrhoeal disease kits, each sufficient to treat 400 moderate and 100 severe cases, arrived in Erbil International airport on 16 September. Rapid diagnostic tests are being pre-positioned in remote health care facilities. In addition, 10% of all positive stool samples are being sent to NAMRU 3 reference laboratory(US Navy Advanced Research Unit) in Cairo for further confirmation and phenotypic characterization.
In controlling the spread of cholera, WHO does not recommend any special restrictions to travel or trade to or from affected areas.
For more information

Prevention and control of cholera outbreaks: WHO policy and recommendations
WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean

WHO cholera fact sheet :tiphat:
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2007_09_25/en/index.html