Between 11 and 20 October, 26 cases of Acute Watery Diarrhoea (AWD) cholera have been detected in Al Hol camp in North East Syria. 18 cases have been confirmed as positive by Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT), and eight cases by lab culture. WHO collected samples for analysis in Damascus, due to the lack of lab capacity in North East Syria.
WHO and the WASH Working Group are carrying water testing in the camp, while UNICEF and ICRC have been mobilised for possible donation of supplies and medical consumables. Identification of spaces to set up Cholera Treatment Units (CTU) and humanitarian response are ongoing, including isolation and case management, but needs remain in terms of supplies, human resources, preparedness and response capacities to ensure CTUs are operational.
In the rest of North East Syria, since August, when a cholera alert was raised, 91 suspected cases of AWD have been reported in Deir-Ez-Zor and Raqqa governorates, including 21 confirmed by lab culture.
WHO and North East Syria Health Working Group (HWG) are coordinating the response. DG ECHO continues to monitor the situation and response closely.
