WHO warns of Cholera and Polio outbreaks in Libya after previous eradication

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the influx of refugees since January 2025 increases the risk of a cholera outbreak in Libya. Cholera’s threat has re-emerged in the country since 2023, after it was previously eliminated in 1995
The organization also cautioned about the potential return of polio, despite Libya being declared free of the disease since 1991.
The WHO explained that the ongoing conflict in Libya has left the country’s vital infrastructure in a state of complete collapse. It added that challenges have been exacerbated by the disruption of healthcare services, especially for vulnerable groups and patients with chronic illnesses.
In a report, the organization noted that overcrowding severely limits movement between shelters and weakens ventilation, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks. Health problems are on the rise among refugees, particularly among vulnerable groups such as children, women, and elderly individuals with chronic diseases. Furthermore, women lack reproductive health services, including prenatal care and health education, and children do not receive routine vaccinations, relying instead on sporadic vaccination campaigns, making them vulnerable to preventable diseases.
The WHO also indicated that the reported number of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C infections increased in December 2024 compared to previous months.
It highlighted that heavy rains and strong winds in northwestern Libya, particularly in Tripoli, on December 5 and 6, 2024, caused floods and severe weather incidents resulting in injuries and damage, which worsened the situation. This is particularly concerning as Libya is still recovering from the effects of Storm Daniel, which led to the collapse of two dams after a record storm, resulting in over 4,251 deaths. These challenges have been compounded by the disruption of healthcare services, especially for vulnerable groups like children, women, and patients with chronic illnesses.