Three people died from cholera in her districts Syria– Kurdish local authorities announced today, turning to the international community for help in preventing the spread of the disease.

“A large number of cases have been reported in areas of the provinces of Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor,” the health ministry of the semi-autonomous Kurdish administration based in Qamishli said. “Three people have died,” says the message, in which the Kurds ask international organizations and especially the World Health Organization to provide the necessary assistance.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the disease spread to the western part of the province of Deir ez-Zor through contaminated drinking water, as the authorities stopped the supply of chlorine at water stations for three months. He added that many people show symptoms of cholera (mostly vomiting and diarrhoea).

After 11 years of war, Syria is facing severe drought and water shortages. According to a UNICEF report released in April last year, the conflict destroyed two thirds of water treatment plants, half of pumping stations and one third of water towers. Nearly half of the population depends on alternative, often unsanitary, water sources.

Cholera, which can even lead to death from dehydration, is mainly spread by ingesting contaminated water or food. According to various estimates, 1.3-4 million cases of cholera are registered annually, and mortality is estimated at 21,000 to 143,000 people.

Source: RES-IPE