In April 2019, cases of acute diarrhoea began to be reported in Al-Hol camp in Al-Hasakeh governorate. The camp’s infrastructure was collapsing and the camp was overpopulated, struggling to serve large numbers of new arrivals that vastly overstretched its capacity. Limited safe drinking water, insufficient hand washing and high temperatures enabled bacteria that cause acute diarrhoea to multiply in water and food. Between April and June, 11 440 cases of diarrhoea and 16 diarrhoea-related deaths were reported. The peak was reached in week 25, after which preventive health, water and sanitation measures started to become effective, albeit with a second peak at the height of summer. WHO strengthened the capacity of health care workers to diagnose and manage diarrhoea.
