2022 cholera outbreak in Lebanon
In October 2022, an outbreak of cholera began in Lebanon. It is likely the result of a serious outbreak in neighboring Syria, which is itself traced back to contaminated water in the Euphrates. As of October 13, 26 cases have been reported and one person has died. This outbreak is the first incidence of cholera in Lebanon since 1993. In June 2023, the Lebanon Ministry of Health announced that the cholera outbreak that began in October 2022 was over. Background Cholera Cholera is an infection of the small intestine by some strains of a species of bacterium known as Vibrio cholerae. Symptoms may range from none to mild to severe. They include large amounts of watery diarrhea as well as vomiting and muscle cramps. Diarrhea can be so severe that it leads within hours to severe dehydration and kidney failure. If people with cholera are treated quickly and properly, the mortality rate is less than 1%; with untreated cholera, the mortality rate rises to 50–60%. Outbreak in Syria A cholera outbreak is currently ongoing in Syria which was declared officially on September 10, 2022. Between September 10 and 30, 10,000 suspected cases have been detected. On 22 October 2022, the