Cholera in Syria

Aid organisations are reporting a major outbreak of cholera in northern Syria. The International Rescue Committee reported 2 092 suspected cases of cholera on 21 September 2022. Islamic Relief reported the number had risen to more than 2 500 cases (including 39 deaths) on 27 September 2022.

Areas affected include: Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh, Ar-Raqqa, Damascus, Deir-ez-Zor, Lattakia, Homs and Idlib Governorates.

Syria has been affected by civil war in recent years, with significant damage to infrastructure, sanitation and water supply. People living and working in refugee camps are among those at high risk of cholera.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of faecally contaminated food or water, and occasionally foodstuffs such as shellfish.

Advice for Travellers

Severe cholera is rare in travellers. Mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.

All travellers should be given advice on:

• maintaining safe food and water precautions
• effective hand hygiene
• basic steps in self-treating diarrhoea, particularly remaining adequately hydrated

Vaccination against cholera is dependent on the individual risk assessment, but may be considered for:

• volunteers/humanitarian workers/medical personnel travelling to disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks are likely
• travellers with remote itineraries in areas where cholera outbreaks are occurring and there is limited access to medical care