Lebanon has reported its first cholera cases in almost three decades in Akkar, an impoverished region in the north that borders Syria.
Lebanon announced the first case on Thursday. The patient, a man from Syria, is in a stable condition and receiving treatment in hospital, the Ministry of Health said.
On Friday, Lebanon's caretaker health minister confirmed another case in Akkar. “There are several other suspected cases,” Firass Abiad said. “Cholera is an illness that is easily transmissible.”
It comes as neighbouring Syria grapples with an outbreak of cholera that has already killed at least 39 people.
"We do not have a confirmed link to the outbreak in Syria, though it is very probable," a ministry source told The National on Thursday night.
Dr Abiad has held a meeting with health officials and representatives from the Ministry of Water and Energy about the issue and a crisis cell has been formed to respond.
He said the Lebanese government had been working with the UN and World Health Organisation to prepare the country for a possible outbreak.
“We're making sure that there is safe water and a good sewage system,” he said.
Samples will be collected from sewage in all Lebanese governorates to test for cholera. The government also plans to secure vaccines and medicines, and brief hospitals and medical centres on symptoms of the disease.
The UN has said it is alarmed over the worsening cholera outbreak in Syria, the first in the country in more than a decade.
More than 10,000 suspected cases have been reported across the country in the past six weeks alone, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday.
Little has been done to stop the spread of the disease, with much of Syria's infrastructure is severely affected by more than a decade of war, including two thirds of its water treatment plants.
The source of the latest outbreak is believed to be the Euphrates River, which has been contaminated by sewage.
More than five million Syrians rely on the Euphrates for their drinking water, the UN said.
Lebanon itself is undergoing a severe economic collapse, which first became apparent in 2019, and it has plunged much of the population into poverty.
There are severe shortages of clean water, electricity and medicines, adding to the problems that hospitals and medical workers already face.
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Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
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Pakistan: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz
Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (capt), Lahiru Thirimanne (vice-capt), Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Roshen Silva, Niroshan Dickwella, Rangana Herath, Lakshan Sandakan, Dilruwan Perera, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Gamage
Umpires: Ian Gould (ENG) and Nigel Llong (ENG)
TV umpire: Richard Kettleborough (ENG)
ICC match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM)
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Humaira Tasneem (c), Chamani Senevirathne (vc), Subha Srinivasan, NIsha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Esha Oza, Ishani Senevirathne, Heena Hotchandani, Keveesha Kumari, Judith Cleetus, Chavi Bhatt, Namita D’Souza.
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
