WHO Warns of Cholera Outbreak in Mariupol

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of an outbreak of cholera in the Ukrainian city, Mariupol.

A news website quoted Margaret Harris, the WHO spokesperson as saying that the risk of a cholera outbreak in Mariupol is high, as people drink water that has been contaminated by decomposing garbage and corpses.

Harris indicated that Mariupol and the neighboring provinces have always had a history of cholera outbreaks, but stressed that there have been no confirmed reports of a cholera outbreak.

WHO noted that it is not present in Mariupol territory, but will work with partners to provide support.

Cholera is a disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera. The disease causes severe watery diarrhea. It takes anywhere from 12 hours to five days for a person to show symptoms after they consume contaminated food or water.

After Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, Mariupol in Ukraine’s east has suffered some of the most brutal shelling attacks, including at a maternity hospital and a theater where hundreds of civilians were hiding out.