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The cholera outbreak in Iraq is not yet contained and has now spread to 15 governorates; a total of 1201 cases have been reported. The outbreak began in the south of the country but appears to be spreading north. The risk of exportation is high and a few cholera cases have spread to neighbouring Bahrain and Kuwait.
An annual religious gathering is scheduled to take place on 23 October 2015, in Karbala governorate where millions of pilgrims are expected to gather from Iraq, Iran, India and Pakistan and member countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council; thereby increasing the risk for international spread.
The World Health Organization (WHO), Iraq’s Ministry of Health and health partners have stepped up the response to the cholera outbreak.
(Via WHO Surveillance, forecasting and response - accessed 12/10/15)
Cholera is a low risk for most travellers. Travellers to outbreak areas who will be mixing closely with the local population and cannot ensure safe drinking water can be immunised against cholera. A high standard of food/water precautions and personal hygiene should be maintained whenever possible.
