Cholera in Syria

30 Sep 2022

Aid organisations are reporting a major outbreak of cholera in northern Syria. The International Rescue Committee reported 2 092 suspected cases of cholera on 21 September 2022. Islamic Relief reported the number had risen to more than 2 500 cases (including 39 deaths) on 27 September 2022.

Areas affected include: Aleppo, Al-Hasakeh, Ar-Raqqa, Damascus, Deir-ez-Zor, Lattakia, Homs and Idlib Governorates.

Syria has been affected by civil war in recent years, with significant damage to infrastructure, sanitation and water supply. People living and working in refugee camps are among those at high risk of cholera.

Cholera is an infection spread mainly through food and water that can cause sudden watery diarrhoea.

Advice for Travellers

Cholera is rare in travellers. Mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.

If you are travelling to a country where there is an outbreak of cholera, you should be aware how to:

• practice safe food and water precautions
• practice effective hand hygiene
• treat mild diarrhoea, and when to seek medical attention

A vaccine is available to protect against cholera. Since the risk to travellers is very low, the vaccine is only usually recommended for volunteers or humanitarian workers travelling to work in disaster relief situations.

See the fitfortravel Cholera page for further information.