An elderly person being vaccinated against cholera in North Lebanon. (Credit: João Sousa/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — Lebanon on Saturday recorded four new cholera cases but no additional deaths in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 652, the Health Ministry announced in its daily report. The total number of deaths since the start of the outbreak in October remains at 20.
Meanwhile, 8,802 people were vaccinated against cholera on Friday, bringing the total number of people vaccinated since the beginning of a three-week campaign on Nov. 12. to 476,918, 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.