AMMAN, 24 October 2022 – “The fast pace of the cholera outbreak in Syria and Lebanon is alarming and the risks of the disease further spreading to other countries in the region call for immediate action. Urgent support is needed to respond and contain the spread of the disease.

“The acute epidemic in Syria has left over 20,000 suspected cases with acute watery diarrhoea and 75 cholera-associated deaths since its start [1]. In Lebanon, confirmed cholera cases reached 448 in just two weeks, with 10 associated deaths [2].

“Several neighbouring countries are already affected with a high number of acute watery diarrhoea cases and may be at risk of cholera.

“Cholera outbreaks and acute watery diarrhoea add to children’s struggles in these countries. Malnourished children are more vulnerable to developing severe cholera disease, and the cholera outbreak is yet another blow to already overstretched health systems in the region.