Warning in Lebanon of the spread of cholera

The Minister of Public Health, Firas Al-Abyad, stated, in a press conference, that the number of patients in the country reached 169 deaths and five deaths, most of whom were Syrian citizens who sought refuge on the national soil.

The authority revealed that polluted water in several areas is the main factor in the increase in cholera cases, in addition to the people’s contact with it.

Al-Abyadh stressed that the filtration plant in hot areas of the disease outbreak is out of service, and therefore the water does not appear again and is contaminated.

So far, the ministry is intensifying measures to contain the infection in the northern towns of Akkar and Minieh al-Dinniyeh, in the eastern city of Baalbek and in Kesrouan in the Mount Lebanon Governorate.

Earlier this month, the government formed an epidemiological response committee that included experts and specialists with the aim of limiting the spread of cholera and monitoring developments on a daily basis.

The health sector activated the epidemiological surveillance teams to take permanent samples from the sick and injured and water sources for analysis in the laboratories.

It also boosted the preparation of hospitals and the distribution of brochures across the country with information on prevention methods, symptoms and appropriate treatment to combat the outbreak.

Health officials advised Lebanese and residents to maintain proper personal hygiene, not to drink or use unsafe water, and to wash hands regularly before preparing or eating food, and after using the toilet.

In this scenario, the World Health Organization sent through the regional center in Dubai the first batch of supplies and medicines to strengthen Lebanon’s response to the epidemic.

According to the World Health Organization, cholera is an acute bacterial infection that affects the stomach and is transmitted through hands, water, or eating contaminated food.

mgt / yma