U.N. saya 4 new cholera cases confirmed in Iraq

U.N. saya 4 new cholera cases confirmed in Iraq

 

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraqi and U.N. officials say four cholera cases have been confirmed in Karbala, a holy Shiite city south of Baghdad that draws masses of pilgrims.

The new cases come in addition to 36 previously announced by the Iraqi Health Ministry, and show that the latest outbreak of the gastrointestinal disease has spread to a new area.

The head of the Karbala health directorate, Alaa Badir, said Friday that the four people with cholera have been hospitalized.

Naeema al-Gasseer, a doctor with the World Health Organization, confirms that figure and says the U.N. group is working with Iraqi authorities to contain the spread of the waterborne disease. Five people have died from it since Iraq's latest outbreak began last week.