Deadly cholera threatens Iraq's children

Deadly cholera threatens Iraq's children

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Cholera deaths at a Baghdad orphanage and deteriorating water and sewage systems are spurring fears of a larger outbreak of the killer disease, the United Nations children's agency said.

As the rainy season begins, waterway pollution from raw sewage "is perhaps the greatest environmental and public health hazard facing Iraqis -- particularly children," said UNICEF spokeswoman Claire Hajaj in an e-mail to CNN on Wednesday. "Waterborne diarrheal diseases kill and sicken more Iraqi children than anything except pneumonia."

Cholera has claimed 24 lives nationwide since August, according to the Iraqi government, including two children at the city's Al Hanan orphanage.

"While national caseloads are declining, we are increasingly concerned about a possible outbreak in Baghdad," Hajaj said. "The capital accounts for 79 percent all new cases and is now up to 101 cases, the vast majority reported in the past three weeks."

Cholera can kill in a matter of hours if left untreated, according to MayoClinic.com. Most people who are exposed to the disease show no signs of the illness, making them unknowing carriers, the Web site said. Those who do get sick usually experience symptoms such as mild or moderate diarrhea, nausea, cramps, dehydration or shock.

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