As of 15 June 2023, globally, a total of 24 countries reported AWD/cholera outbreaks. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region of WHO, 8 countries namely, Afghanistan, Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lebanon, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen have reported Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD)/ suspected cholera cases during 2022. In 2023, 6 out of these 8 countries continued to report AWD/ suspected cholera cases in 2023.
During the reporting period (1-15 June 2023), a total of 16,518 new AWD/suspected cholera cases - including 4 associated deaths- were reported from 5 Member States: Afghanistan (8,228 cases; 2 deaths), Pakistan (10 confirmed cholera cases; 0 death), Somalia (711 cases; 1 deaths), Syria (7,326 cases; 0 deaths), and Yemen (243 cases; 1 deaths). The cholera outbreak in Lebanon was officially declared over on 5 June 2023 with a cumulative number of 8,000 suspected cholera cases-including 671 laboratory confirmed cases and 23 associated deaths during the period of 6 October 2022 to 5 June 2023.
During the period of 1 January to 15 June 2023, cumulatively, a total of 153,459 AWD/suspected cholera cases-including 66 associated deaths- were reported from 6 Member States: Afghanistan (67,754 AWD cases; 32 deaths), Lebanon (2197 cases; 0 death), Pakistan (46 lab. confirmed cases; 0 deaths), Somalia (9,698 cases; 28 deaths), Syria, (69,886 cases; 2 deaths), and Yemen (3,878 cases; 4 deaths).
While males and females are almost equally affected by AWD/ suspected cholera in the Region, most of the AWD/ suspected cholera cases in Afghanistan (50%), Somalia (60%), and Syria (45%) are children under five years of age. In Lebanon and Yemen, children under-five years represent 26% and 24% of the total suspected cases respectively. This indicates the need for further investigations to understand other possible pathogens that may cause diarrhoea among children under-five years of age and to strengthen the surveillance and laboratories systems in the Region.
There are many drivers contributing to the resurgence of cholera in the Region, including climate change, conflict and political instability, weak health systems, increased population movement, poor water and sanitation infrastructure and low awareness among the public. With the support of WHO and other partners, all cholera-affected countries implemented multisectoral cholera response interventions, including coordination, water and sanitation, early warning surveillance, laboratory diagnosis, clinical management, risk communication and community engagement, and oral cholera vaccination.
Considering that many countries in the Region are facing natural disasters, political and economic instability, and armed conflicts, it’s critical to enhance the preparedness and response capacities for AWD/cholera for the next season.
Therefore, the high-risk countries-with WHO support- need to work on strengthening coordination, building the HCWs capacities for detection, diagnosis, and management and prevention of AWD/cholera outbreaks, in addition to prepositioning of the required health supplies. Furthermore, enhancing and continuing the response activities for the ongoing AWD/cholera outbreaks in the Region is essential.
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