IMC Responds to Deadly Cholera Outbreak in Iraq

Contact: IMC: Stephanie Bowen sbowen@imcworldwide.org 310-826-7800

Los Angeles, CA—International Medical Corps is responding to an urgent request by the Iraqi Ministry of Health to combat a deadly cholera outbreak in large parts of Northern Iraq. Today, August 31, IMC, in cooperation with provincial health authorities, distributed over 90,000 units of IV fluids, nearly 100,000 units of antibiotics, and other medical supplies worth more than $100,000. At least 3,000 cases of severe dehydration due to diarrhea and cholera will be treated through this assistance.

International Medical Corps has secured donations for further medical supplies that will be flown to Iraq next week to help containing the crisis. IMC also plans to rent water trucks to improve access to clean water in the most severely affected areas, will provide technical support for health education, and establish mobile surveillance teams.

“The situation is serious and requires a swift response. We are already working in the affected areas and have a longstanding relationship with central and provincial health authorities that enable us to react to this outbreak,” says Agron Ferati, IMC Regional Representative in the Middle East.

Eight people have been killed and 80 more have been infected since the beginning of August. According to news reports quoting local government sources 2,350 people in Sulaimaniya and about 2,000 in Tamim province are suffering from acute watery diarrhea, the main symptom of cholera. Officials fear that the disease might spread within the coming weeks to more areas.

Cholera is not uncommon in Iraq, but according to local officials, this outbreak is three times larger than in previous years. The current crisis is a result of decreasing water quality and bad sanitation, a consequence of the fragile infrastructure.

IMC has been working in Iraq since 2003 and recognized from the beginning the immediate need to address water sanitation issues in Iraq. Over the last four years IMC completed 260 major water and sanitation projects in the country. Over 90 community health educator groups have been trained to improve general health practices and disease prevention.

IMC has also helped to restore the health sector of the country through support for primary health care facilities, training of doctors, nurses, and paramedics, and provision of medical equipment, supplies and medicines.

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