The number of cholera cases in Iran is on the rise after the outbreak of an epidemic in neighbouring Iraq, an Iranian health official was quoted as saying on Saturday.
"The last count shows 43 people have contracted cholera in Kordestan province," Mohsen Zahrai, who is in charge of water and food-borne diseases, told ISNA news agency.He said those affected had been commuting across the border with Iraq and warned Iranian citizens to postpone pilgrimages to Iraq until the situation was under control.
The World Health Organisation said on Thursday Iran had recorded 10 cases of cholera since September 19 in its western Kordestan province. It said it was unaware of any cases elsewhere in Iran.
Iraq has been grappling with a growing outbreak of cholera, with 3,300 cases and 14 deaths since August, largely in the northeast of the country.
The Iraqi outbreak and its spread in the conflict-ridden country has been blamed on poor quality water supplies and a lack of sanitation.
Source-AFP
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