Dr. Naeema al-Gasseer, the WHO's representative in Iraq has confirmed that the woman, whose name has not been released, turned up at a hospital with severe diarrhea. The infectious disease broke out in Iraq in mid-August, but had been confined to northern provinces, affecting Sulaimaniyah, Irbil and Tamim, which is home to the oil-rich city of Kirkuk.
The WHO says at least 10 people have died in the recent outbreak so far. Though several suspected cholera cases also have been reported in Diyala province, north of Baghdad, but none had been confirmed.
Last time cholera outbreak turned into epidemic was in 1999 when 20 cases were discovered in one day. The health authorities are concerned the disease could spread because of the movement of people to escape ongoing violence.
The latest WHO report dated Sept. 14 reported a total of 24,532 cases of people with symptoms of cholera such as diarrhea and vomiting in the northern provinces.
