Jun 23 2012

Fears mount of cholera outbreak in Iraq’s Basra

By Bassem Husain

Azzaman, June 23, 2012

Residents of Iraq’s southern city of Basra say there are fears of a new onslaught of cholera epidemic amid hikes in temperatures, non-availability of drinking water and accumulating mounds of garbage across the city.

Basra medics have acknowledge the existence of a few cholera cases, spreading fears that the deadly disease is a serious matter.

Residents say they cannot trust the authorities about cholera cases. They add cholera incidents must be higher and there is an attempt not tell the truth in order not to cause panic.

Abdulhuasain Kadhem said cholera cases were bound to increase “due to bad weather conditions and power outages.”

He said: “Heath authorities are trying to hide the real figures of cholera cases, fearing a backlash.”

Saad Radhi said that no one should be surprised to see the epidemic striking Basra.

He said the failure of the authorities to provide electricity and potable water means that their policies are behind the cholera outbreak.

Younis Hashem urged the authorities to launch a campaign to prevent the contagious disease from spreading.

“This not a time to say who is to blame. It is time that all work together to combat cholera and other disease,” Hashem added.

Mounds of uncollected garbage dot Basra’s streets and neighborhoods, said Abdulhusain Fiyadh.

“There is evidence that Basra Municipality is not doing its job properly,” he said.

The health authorities have refused to comment on popular fears of the epidemic might get spread widely apart from saying that they have only detected a few cases and that conditions are under control.

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