ASIA/IRAQ - Six thousand cases of cholera in northern Iraq where people live without clean water or adequate drainage system

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - A outbreak of cholera has infected at least 6,000 people in the northern provinces of Iraq, where 3 million people live without clean water or adequate drainage system. In recent months ten deaths caused by cholera have been reported.
“Between 23 August and 10 September at least 6,000 people contracted the disease in the province of Sulemaniyah, 7,000 in Kirkuk and 3,000 in Erbil”, said Fadela Chaib spokesperson of the World Health Organisation.
Access to clean water and healthy food is uncertain and the lack of hygyene and sanitation could favour diffusion of the epidemic. The situation is complicated by the poor state of Iraq's water system and infrastructures due to the war. In many villages people live without clean water or adequate drainage system.
The alert launched by the WHO, has been confirmed by the authorities in Baghdad which express concern that the 'vibro cholerae' bacteria may reach the capital.
WHO is working on a programme for a clean water control system which the local sanitary authorities have promised to disinfect with chlorine, and other preventive measures, as well as assisting those infected with re-hydration kits. (AP) (17/9/2007 Agenzia Fides; Righe:21; Parole:211)