Iraq’s cholera outbreak spurs massive vaccine campaign

Iraq's cholera outbreak has infected more than 2,200 people, spurring the war-torn country to introduce a major vaccination campaign against the infectious disease, AFP reported Sunday, citing a health ministry statement.

The campaign, which began Saturday, will focus on individuals displaced by the conflict with Daesh militants, health minister Adeela Hmmoud told reporters.

Medical teams plan to administer more than 500,000 WHO-shipped doses of oral vaccine to 250,000 people. Treated individuals have been given cards containing their names and dates of vaccination, and were told to return after two weeks, AFP reported.

Authorities have blamed the outbreak on poor water quality caused by the low level of the Euphrates river.

“The provision of safe water, sanitation and personal hygiene will continue to be the critical cholera prevention and control measures,” the WHO said in a statement.

After a short incubation period of two to five days, cholera causes severe diarrhea, draining the body of its water, AFP reported.