The Cholera Outbreak in Lebanon: October 2022

Abstract

In recent years, Lebanon has been struggling with a socioeconomic crisis exacerbated by population displacement after the Syrian crisis, which put a significant burden on its healthcare system. An additional challenge has been the response to a cholera outbreak- a deadly waterborne disease transmitted through the fecal-oral route that usually manifests as severe watery diarrhea and can rapidly progress to death. After reports of a cholera outbreak in Syria were disclosed in September 2022, the Northern Governorate of Lebanon too began reporting cases immediately after, and the first case was confirmed on October 6, 2022. The outbreak rapidly spread to other parts of the country. As of December 9, 2022, a total of 5105 suspected cholera cases with 23 associated deaths were reported across Lebanon. An estimated 45% of these cases were of children and adolescents below the age of 15 years. With the start of the vaccination campaign, awareness programs emphasizing adequate sanitation and clean water sources have become an urgent need.