A resident of Akkar, North Lebanon, receiving treatment for cholera in October 2022. (Credit: João Sousa/File photo/L'Orient Today)
BEIRUT — The Lebanese Health Ministry on Sunday announced "the end of the cholera epidemic in Lebanon," after "more than 12 weeks" without a single confirmed case of the illness, a statement published by the state-run National News Agency said.
The disease reappeared in Lebanon in October for the first time since 1993.
Cholera is transmitted by contact with or ingestion of contaminated water or food.
"No confirmed cases of cholera have been recorded since the end of February 2023, which shows that more than 12 weeks have passed without any proven case of cholera in Lebanon," the statement reads.
"The Health Ministry announces the end of the cholera epidemic in Lebanon as of the date of publication of this press release. The ministry will continue to closely monitor cases of acute diarrhea and to deploy awareness and prevention campaigns, in collaboration with the relevant partners, particularly in the most exposed regions," it continued, welcoming the "efforts and measures taken to counter this epidemic" since its reappearance.
The ministry also thanked its various partners, notably international organizations, UNICEF and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), for their role in managing the epidemic. International associations worked alongside the ministry to carry out an extensive vaccination campaign in the worst-affected areas, particularly in North Lebanon and the Bekaa, and to improve water infrastructures.
According to Health Ministry figures, the last case of cholera was identified on Jan. 5, and the data has not changed since: 671 confirmed cases and 23 deaths have been officially recorded since October 2022. More than 8,000 suspected cases have been analyzed.