“We’re thrilled to see our collective efforts with the Ministry of Public Health and all partners paying off despite the global shortages in cholera vaccines,” says Dr Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon. “There is still more to do, including rapidly activating and supporting the rapid response teams at the field level, improving the water and sanitation situation, strengthening subnational coordination, elevating community engagement, and maintaining a stock of medical supplies and PPE.”
Since the first case was declared on 6 October 2022, 5135 suspected cholera cases (658 laboratory-confirmed) and 23 associated deaths have been reported. Among the 20 out of the 26 districts at the national level with recorded laboratory-confirmed cases, Akkar and the north governorates, are still recording the highest number of cases.
WHO requires around US$ 11.2 million for the cholera response over 6 months: only 29% has been received so far.
Note to editors
The International Coordinating Group on vaccine provision (ICG) is an international group that manages and coordinates the provision of emergency vaccine supplies and antibiotics to countries during major disease outbreaks. It manages the global stockpile of the oral cholera vaccine. The group comprises members of WHO, Médecins Sans Frontières, UNICEF and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
More: https://www.who.int/groups/icg/about
Related links:
- 600 000 doses of cholera vaccine arrive in Lebanon amidst evolving outbreak
- WHO Lebanon: AWD/cholera response plan
- WHO requires US$ 10.2 million for the health-related response to the ongoing cholera outbreak in Lebanon.
