WHO is working in Lebanon to stop the spread of cholera amid conflict

On October 16, Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health confirmed a case of cholera, highlighting escalating health risks amid the ongoing conflict. The case was identified in Akkar province in the north of the country, the first case since the epidemic from October 2022 to June 2023 was declared over. Authorities are investigating the extent of the disease's spread, collecting samples from people who have been in contact with the patients and assessing potential water contamination.

“WHO has sounded the alarm about the risk of resurgence of infectious diseases such as cholera in Lebanon as a result of poor water and sanitation conditions and the impact of the current conflict,” said Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO representative in Lebanon. “Our immediate focus now is to improve surveillance and water sanitation to stop transmission and prevent further spread.”

The current resurgence comes as the conflict strains Lebanon's already overstretched health system, exacerbating displacement and contributing to further declines in water and sanitation services and infrastructure. Overcrowded shelters are not equipped to accommodate the growing number of displaced people, which increases the risk of cholera spreading.

WHO is working closely with the Ministry of Health and partners, using lessons from the latest outbreak in October 2022 to contain the outbreak and prevent its spread. Epidemic 2022-2023. it was the first in Lebanon in more than 30 years and was driven by economic decline and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, resulting in 8,007 suspected cases, 671 laboratory-confirmed cases and 23 deaths.

Earlier in August, the Ministry of Public Health launched a preventive oral cholera vaccination campaign in coordination with WHO, UHNCR, UNICEF and other partners, targeting 350,000 people living in high-risk areas. The campaign, which was interrupted by an escalation of violence, aimed to reach individuals aged one year and older living in high-risk areas in 5 of Lebanon's 8 governorates.

In response to the discovery of the current case, WHO immediately activated a cholera preparedness and response plan to improve surveillance and contact tracing, including environmental surveillance and water sampling, strengthen laboratory testing capacity, supply cholera vaccine, and support infection prevention and control measures in designated areas. institutions of treatment centers.

On 4 and 5 October, a WHO shipment of basic health supplies arrived in Beirut to support the response to the current emergency. The shipment of over 116 metric tons included anti-cholera supplies as part of the preparedness and response plan. WHO will continue to procure and preposition essential cholera supplies, including laboratory supplies.

As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, WHO and the Ministry of Public Health will investigate whether oral cholera vaccines should be introduced in high-risk areas to stop transmission as soon as possible

WHO also supports the Operational Center for Public Health Emergencies at the Ministry of Public Health to coordinate response activities at the national and subnational level in coordination with the health sector. These response activities include maintaining essential health services to ensure there are no interruptions in health delivery, while supporting case identification and management in health facilities, as well as strengthening risk communication and community engagement activities to make people aware of symptoms, risk factors and preventive measures. measure.

By implementing a comprehensive cholera preparedness and response plan, WHO, together with the Ministry of Health and partners, aims to limit transmission, reduce disease burden and improve overall health outcomes.