Cholera risk rises in Sulaymaniyah amid drought and unsafe water use, health chief warns

SULAYMANIYAH — Sulaymaniyah’s director of health has warned of an increased risk of cholera outbreaks this year, citing reduced rainfall and growing reliance on potentially unsafe drinking water.

“This year, due to low rainfall, the risk of cholera spreading is much higher,” Sabah Hawrami, director of Sulaymaniyah Health, said at a press conference. “As the Sulaymaniyah Health Directorate, we have taken the necessary precautions. I also call on residents to be very cautious when using drinking water, because water is scarce and many people are turning to spring water. Not all spring water is suitable for drinking.”

Last year, over 130 confirmed cases of cholera were reported in Sulaymaniyah, with additional infections in Erbil. Three cases were recorded in Erbil’s Koya district in mid-September, prompting health officials to issue warnings and promote hygiene practices and safe water use.

Hawrami stressed the seriousness of the disease. “Cholera is not just a regular diarrhoea. It is a dangerous disease. For example, if a child becomes infected and does not receive treatment within a few hours, they could lose kidneys or even die,” he said.

The World Health Organization describes cholera as an acute diarrheal illness caused by ingesting contaminated food or water. If untreated, it can kill within hours, though it is both preventable and treatable with prompt care.

“Cholera is easy to treat, but its complications can be severe,” Hawrami said. “That’s why it must be treated immediately.”

He urged residents to confirm the safety of their drinking water. “I urge all residents to protect themselves and be sure of the source of any water they use for drinking,” he said.

On April 15, the Sulaymaniyah Meteorology and Seismology Office reported varying drought conditions across the region, classifying them as severe in Ranya, moderate in Sulaymaniyah, Penjwen and Chamchamal, and mild in Halabja and Kalar.