CHOLERA OUTBREAK IN WASIT GOVERNORATE, IRAQ 2017

Abstract

Introduction: Cholera is a major public health ongoing problem, causing significant morbidity and mortality particularly in developing countries. The main objective of the current study was to assess the distribution of cholera in Wasit governorate during the 2017 epidemic. Methods: This study was designed as a descriptive cross-sectional study. All patients were registered in health directorate records. The data collection lasted from 2^nd of January 2018 till 28^th February 2018 by formal registration for records of the directorate of Wasit health\ section of communicable diseases\ epidemiological surveillance unit. All registered cholera confirmed cases were included and frequency tables were done using SPSS program version 23. Results: The results showed that only (25) positive cases of cholera from (6175) total of stool samples taken from (20954) of acute diarrhoea recorded during 2017, and the highest percentage of cases (66.7%) were registered in September. The highest percentage of cases (32%) appear within the age category (>45) years while the lowest percentage was in under five years children(8%). Women constituted about (68%) of all cases. All cases were in Al-Suwaira health care district and all cases were of the type Inaba. All patients were recovered with no fatality. Even, the highest attack rate of cholera nationally and in Wasit was in 2015 outbreak.

Conclusion: Cholera still one of the endemic diseases in Iraq that caused an outbreak at different times. Although, it still under control and need further work for special situations where the infection most likely distributed.