| WHO - Cholera in Iraq - update |
| 15 Oct 2008 |
| On 20 August 2008, the Government of Iraq reported the first cholera cases of the year. As of 28 September 2008, a total of 341 laboratory-confirmed cholera cases, including five deaths, had been verified (case-fatality rate: 1.5%). Nine provinces have already been affected, with Babil accounting for the majority of cases (58%), followed by Baghdad (18%) and Kerbala (9%). Other provinces in which cholera cases have been reported include Anbar, Basra, Diala, Diwanyia, Misan and Najaf.
In addition to the confirmed cholera cases, there are a further 31 suspected cases currently under investigation and seven fatal cases of acute watery diarrhoea with symptoms similar to those of cholera.
Although the outbreak this year appears to be less intense then that of 2007, further waves are still possible. It is therefore too early to consider this epidemic to be under control. In addition, long-term inadequacies in the area of water and sanitation remain of immediate concern and cholera outbreaks will recur in Iraq until access to safe water and proper sanitation is ensured for all people.
In response to a request from the Ministry of Health, WHO is providing technical support. The WHO regional expert for water and sanitation has arrived in Baghdad and a joint WHO-UNICEF assessment mission to Babil and Misan will take place as soon as the security situation allows.
WHO does not recommend any restrictions to travel or trade to or from affected areas as a means to control the spread of cholera. However, neighbouring countries are encouraged to reinforce their active surveillance and preparedness systems. Mass chemoprophylaxis is strongly discouraged, as it has no effect on the spread of cholera, can have adverse effects by increasing antimicrobial resistance and provides a false sense of security.
Use of the current internationally available prequalified oral cholera vaccine is not recommended once an outbreak has started due to its 2-dose regimen and the time required to reach protective efficacy as well as the high costs and the heavy logistics associated with its use. The use of the parenteral cholera vaccine has never been recommended by WHO due to its low protective efficacy and the high occurrence of severe adverse reactions.
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| Cease-fire agreement reportedly indefinitely extended |
| 30 Aug 2008 |
| Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr has reportedly indefinitely extended a cease-fire agreement that he and his Mahdi Army militia have observed since August 2007. Al-Sadr is a well-known anti-U.S. cleric and has fought against the presence of U.S. forces in the country; he has a large following that has been considered to be one of the most powerful and influential political and military movements in Iraq. The cease-fire agreement was implemented as a six month truce in August 2007 and was extended for a further six months in February 2008. Al-Sadr posted a hand-written letter confirming the indefinite truce on his Web site; he also stated that any member who violated the agreement would "not be considered part of the group." |
| Buss stop car bomb kills 51 |
| 18 Jun 2008 |
| A car bomb explosion at a busy bus stop in northern Baghdad has killed 51 people and left another 75 wounded, Iraqi police have said. The explosion took place in the mainly Shia Muslim neighbourhood of Hurriya.
The bomb appeared to have been timed to go off during the early evening rush hour, when the bus stop was crowded with waiting passengers.
It is the deadliest bombing in Iraq's capital for weeks, following a security drive by Iraqi and US forces. uesday's blast set fire to about 20 shops and razed a multi-storey building, security officials said.
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