Slemani registers 10 cases of cholera

Slemani Governorate declared an emergency state after registering 10 cases of cholera, the General Directorate of Health of Slemani announced on Sunday.

The Director-General of Health, Dr. Sabah Hawrami, announced that 10 cases of cholera were registered, pointing out that they will take new measures against the spread of cholera in Slemani.

Four thousand people have suffered from diarrhea and vomiting in Slemani governorate in just six days, the director-general of the health of Slemani announced on Sunday.

Dr. Sabah Hawrami, director-general of the health of Slemani, said on his official page on Facebook that the patients have been treated in Slemani hospitals, indicating that there are serious cases among the patients.

On Saturday, two children were reported dead from diarrhea and vomiting at Dr. Jamal Ahmad Rashid's Pediatric Teaching Hospital in Slemani.

The Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) later announced that there are a number of suspected cases of cholera in different parts of the Kurdistan Region.

Cholera is an acute diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with Vibrio cholerae bacteria. People can get sick when they swallow food or water contaminated with cholera bacteria. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe and life-threatening.

Health Minister Saman Barzanji told a news conference held in Raparin Health Directorate that the number of vomiting and diarrhea cases in the Kurdistan Region has increased and that many of them are suspected to be cholera cases.

"The main cause of diarrhea and vomiting is drinking water, as well as expired food, so anyone who suffers from diarrhea should visit the hospital as soon as possible," he said.

"We are coordinating with the Iraqi Ministry of Health to provide medical supplies to treat diarrhea, vomiting, and cholera," he added.

According to Dr. Barzanji, measures and programs to combat the disease have been set and will be issued with the relevant authorities.



PUKmedia