An elderly person being vaccinated against cholera in North Lebanon. (Credit: João Sousa/L'Orient-Le Jour)
BEIRUT — Lebanon on Thursday recorded 23 new cholera cases but no deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases and deaths to 645 and 20, respectively, the Health Ministry said in its daily report.
Meanwhile, 13,110 people were vaccinated against cholera on Tuesday, bringing the total number of people vaccinated since the beginning of a three-week campaign on Nov. 12. to 457,271, the report added.
Lebanon is suffering from its first cholera outbreak since 1993. The first case of the disease was detected on Oct. 5.
Cholera is usually caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with the Vibrio cholerae bacteria, often present in feces. Infected people may suffer acute diarrhea, but the illness can also be asymptomatic.
