Disease

Cholera in Iraq

A suburb of Baghdad is currently experiencing a wave of cholera, triggered by increasingly poor hygiene and depleted resources as the Iraqi government struggles to expand its control over territories coveted by the Islamic State terrorist group.

The Parliamentary Health and Environment Committee of Iraq announced on Sunday that they had confirmed 41 cases of cholera in Iraq–most in or near Baghdad, and in Najaf and Babel provinces. At least four of those diagnosed had died at the time of the announcement. Some close to the outbreak suggest that the number might be much greater, however. Voice of America cites sources reporting at least 100 cases of the disease. Vice notes that a number of medical groups claim upwards of 300 cases of cholera so far. Many of these are symptomatic patients whose diagnosis has not been confirmed yet.