Epidemiological Overview

The outbreak is spreading rapidly across the 8 governorates and across 18 out of 26 districts. As of 4 November, a total of 2,524 suspected cholera cases (out of which 416 are laboratoryconfirmed) have been reported along with a total of 18 associated deaths, resulting in a case fatality ratio of less than 0.8%. About 45% of suspected and confirmed cases are less than 15 years of age, 15% are between 15 and 24 years of age, 21% are between 25 to 44 years of age with the rest distributed across remaining age groups.

Overall, 88% of suspected and confirmed cases who presented to a health facility have exhibited symptoms. Up to 18% of suspected and confirmed cases have required hospitalization. Across the country, 94 beds are currently occupied for cholera treatment. The majority of cases continue to be predominantly reported from Akkar and the North, and to a lesser extent from Mount Lebanon, Bekaa, and Baalbek-Hermel. As of 31st October, 57.9% of stool samples, and 33.5% of water samples tested at AUB – WHO collaborating center turned out positive for cholera.