WHO: Vaccination against cholera to start in Iraq

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday said it has mobilized 510,000 doses of oral cholera vaccine to help control cholera outbreak among high-risk groups in Iraq.

According to WHO, the vaccination campaign is planned for beginning of next week, more probably starting on Nov. 2.

The deteriorating security situation in Iraq coupled with the disruption of public health services and increased population displacement makes the conditions favorable for transmitting the disease.

Iraq declared an outbreak of cholera on Sept. 15. Out of 18 governorates, 15 are reporting cholera cases. The current number of laboratory confirmed cases is 2,171. No deaths reported to WHO.

A number of displacement camps housing Syrian refugees and internally displaced Iraqis are at high risk for further spread of the cholera outbreak. Some 255,000 internally displaced people and refugees will receive two doses of the vaccine.

In addition to current prevention and control measures, WHO is working with the Ministry of Health to provide oral cholera vaccine in an immunization campaign for vulnerable populations in 62 refugee camps for internally displaced persons and collective centers throughout the country.

To strengthen the country's health system, WHO has trained 48 national health staff on cholera case management and laboratory confirmation and has deployed a team of international experts under the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) to support the Iraqi Ministry of Health respond to the outbreak.