KRG health ministry declares cholera outbreak under control with all patients recovered

ERBIL — The cholera outbreak in the Kurdistan Region is ‘under control’, with all infected individuals now recovered, the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Health announced on Tuesday evening.

Dr. Sarkar Surchi, spokesperson for the ministry, told 964media, “Since the beginning of this year, 28 cases of cholera have been recorded in the Kurdistan Region, with 12 cases in Erbil and 16 in Sulaymaniyah.”

“No deaths have been reported due to cholera this year, and all those who were infected have been discharged from the hospital after recovering,” Surchi added.

He confirmed that no new cases have been registered in recent days, affirming that the outbreak is fully under control.

The cholera outbreak was first confirmed on Aug. 24 in Sulaymaniyah, with eight cases reported. At the time, Sabah Hawrami, Director of Sulaymaniyah Health, warned the public against using restricted water sources and advised against consuming raw vegetables washed with untreated water.

Last year, Sulaymaniyah reported over 130 confirmed cases of cholera, with additional cases in Erbil. In mid-September, three cholera cases were reported in Erbil’s Koya district, prompting officials to urge the public to follow strict hygiene practices, including ensuring water safety and avoiding street food.

Cholera, a highly contagious disease, is spread through contaminated food or water. It can cause severe acute watery diarrhea and, if left untreated, may be fatal within hours, according to the World Health Organization. Prevention and control strategies include improved water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, proper treatment, and the use of oral cholera vaccines.

The World Health Organization estimates that cholera affects 1.3 million to 4 million people annually, leading to 21,000 to 143,000 deaths globally.