Gorilla’s Guides published the latest (Oct 3) WHO update about the cholera outbreak in Iraq, which has not yet reached the epidemic stage.

Since the cholera outbreak was first detected in Kirkuk, Northern Iraq, on 14 August 2007, it has spread to 9 out of 18 provinces across Iraq. It is estimated that more than 30,000 people have fallen ill with acute watery diarrhoea, among which 3,315 were identified as positive for Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium causing the disease. A total of 14 people are known to have died of the disease. The case-fatality rate has remained low throughout the outbreak indicating that those who have become sick have been able to access adequate treatment on time.

The disease is continuing to spread across Iraq and dissemination to as yet unaffected areas remains highly possible. Epidemiological curves are still rising in the provinces from which the majority of laboratory-confirmed cases have originated, Kirkuk (2309) and Sulaymaniah (870). An increasing number of cases of acute watery diarrhoea has also been reported in Diala, a province neighbouring Baghdad. Although V. cholerae has not yet been laboratory confirmed, the clinical symptoms indicate the presence of cholera. The numbers of cases are remaining stable in Basra, Baghdad, Dahuk, Mosul and Tikrit. However, a case has now been confirmed in Wasit, a province that has previously been unaffected by the outbreak.

A larger version of this map is available here.

It should be noted that this outbreak is the inevitable result of the Bu$h malAdministration"s desire to conquer Iraq and to leave it in a state vaguely resembling the immediate aftermath of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. It's difficult to accept the fact that my country engaged in such a thorough campaign to destroy the basic infrastructure of a civilized nation and has refused to repair that infrastructure so as to provide the basic necessities like clean water to the conquered citizenry.

It's a remarkable example of freedom and democracy as envisioned by Mr Bu$h, Mr Cheney, and the Likudniks who control our military and foreign diplomacy organs.

This is not the way to quell a resistance movement and gain the good feelings of the Iraqis.

If Saddam Hussein or Mahmoud Ahmadinejan's government had left a nation in this condition we would have 35 howling dogs at the UN, shrieking about war crimes and crimes against humanity. Instead, our national press, the "watchdogs of liberty" are deeply concerned about John Edwards' haircuts, Hillary Clinton's laugh, and the evil of Move On.

I will grant them the temporary fascination with the bright shiny toy called the Blackwater scandal(s), but only because Mrs Clinton hasn't been wearing scoop neck tops under her pants suits.