BAGHDAD — Iraq, already facing a prolonged battled against the Islamic State group and mass protests against government corruption and inefficiency, is now struggling with a new challenge: a growing cholera outbreak.
At least 54 cases have been confirmed in Baghdad and in southern provinces, Health Ministry spokesman Rifaq al-Araji said. At least 20 cholera cases were confirmed in the town of Abu Ghraib alone, which lies on the border between Baghdad province and Anbar province — much of which is under the control of the Islamic State group.
Four women were reported to have died in Abu Ghraib, but Araji said it has not yet been confirmed if the deaths were cholera-related.
The cause of the outbreak lies partially with Iraq’s antiquated and badly maintained water and sewer systems.