Cholera outbreak could become a widespread epidemic

Deadly disease spreads to Iraq's neighboring countries
The outbreak of cholera in Iraq has spread the disease to neighboring countries such as Syria, Kuwait and Bahrain. Now there is the possibility that the disease will develop into a widespread epidemic. Millions of pilgrims are currently preparing to travel to Iraq, the Reuters news agency quotes UNICEF Country Director Peter Hawkins warning in Iraq.

Cholera is a disease that causes dehydration and kidney failure. These symptoms, if not treated, can lead to the death of the patient within a few hours. The disease occurred in September west of Baghdad and has since led to the deaths of six people. At least 22,000 people in Iraq have been infected with cholera since the outbreak to date.

Cholera bacteria easily dig into polluted drinking water. Iraq and neighboring countries are currently facing a veritable epidemic. (Image: Ezume Images / fotolia.com)

Infected pilgrims spread disease in their home countries
The cholera outbreak has already developed a regional dynamic. Now, however, the risk of new cases and retransmission is increasing dramatically. More and more people from all over the region are coming to Iraq as pilgrims. Millions of Shiites travel to Iraq in December to celebrate Arbaeen, the world's largest commemoration. This annual ritual marks the end of the mourning period for the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who died in 680 AD. In 2014, about 17 million believers visited the Imam Husain Shrine in Karbala. Many pilgrims travel in pilgrimages to Najaf and Samarra. The masses of people traveling around the country increase the likelihood that the disease will spread into a blanket epidemic. They infect themselves with the disease in Iraq and then carry the pathogen back to their homeland. Cases of the disease have also been reported in Kuwait, Bahrain and Syria, reports Reuters..

Impurities from sewage and IS conflict intensify outbreak
Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Country Director, is quoted by the Reuters news agency as saying that UNICEF is already working with pastors from the cities of Najaf and Kerbala. It is important to inform pilgrims how to protect themselves from cholera. The cholera outbreak can be attributed to a number of factors. Low water levels in the Euphrates and winter floods polluted the river and many shallow wells in the region. In addition, the war against the Islamic State (IS) has contributed to the outbreak of cholera. The terrorist organization controls large parts of the territory in the north and west of Iraq. The military conflict has displaced more than three million people from their homes. Many are now forced to live in detention centers. The health conditions in such camps are bad. It is thus possible that cholera spreads rapidly in such places. Consuming contaminated food or contaminated water is enough to infect the disease. UNICEF has limited, very limited access to IS-controlled regions, Hawkins said.

Money for medical care is missing
Higher military spending and other costs related to the fight against the Islamic State have led to a liquidity squeeze in Iraq. The decline in world oil prices in recent years further aggravates this problem. The consequences for Iraq are dramatic. A large portion of the state budget is invested in security and military. For this reason, the money is missing in important other places, such as the medical supply and infrastructures for supply of clean water, added the UNICEF country director.

Every fifth infection affects a child
One in five confirmed diseases due to cholera in Iraq affects children. Now, in many parts of the country, the beginning of the school year has been delayed by one month. This precautionary measure is intended to help curb the spread of the disease, UNICEF said in a statement. In response to the outbreak of cholera, UNICEF is making mineral water, sugar and salt available to the population. It has also begun to build community water tanks in communities and small villages. Unfortunately, these events, like most humanitarian operations in Iraq, are severely underfunded and currently difficult to implement.