Three new cholera cases reported in Erbil, bringing Kurdistan region total to 14

ERBIL – Three new cholera cases were reported in Koya district, raising the total number of cases in the Kurdistan region to 14, the Health Directorate in Koya said Saturday. Local health officials urged residents to take preventive measures against the highly contagious disease.

“One of the cases was identified in Koya district and the other two in the Taqtaq subdistrict,” the directorate said.

Officials are advising the public to practice strict hygiene, including maintaining personal cleanliness, verifying water purity, washing fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and avoiding street food and unsheltered food outlets.

Health authorities stressed the importance of seeking immediate medical care if symptoms of severe dehydration appear. “Our health teams are working to inspect water sources and food establishments to prevent further spread,” the directorate said.

These are the first cholera cases reported in Erbil governorate. On Aug. 25, eight cases were recorded in Sulaymaniyah. Two more cases were confirmed in Garmian on Sept. 1, and another was reported in Sulaymaniyah on Sept. 12, bringing the total in Sulaymaniyah governorate to 11. All individuals have since recovered, health officials told 964media.

There have been no fatalities.

Cholera, a bacterial infection transmitted through contaminated food or water, can be fatal within hours if left untreated. According to the World Health Organization, cholera prevention and control measures include improved sanitation and hygiene practices, surveillance, community engagement, treatment, and the use of oral cholera vaccines. The disease affects between 1.3 million and 4 million people annually, resulting in 21,000 to 143,000 deaths worldwide.