If I were trying to contaminate water supplies, I would use botulinum toxin, which is far more potent and cannot be removed by simple purification procedures.
Sorry, this is simply an epidemic, which occurs commonly when sanitation practices and infrastructure fail. Nothing sinister.
Having said that, 7000 cases of cholera, even in a country with modern medical facilities, could overwhelm medical capacity quickly.
What about treatment? I know nothing about it, so these may be stupid questions — but what treatments are available? do standard antibiotics work? what’s the cure rate?
I believe that would not work well in water because the microbe that produces it can only flourish under anaerobic conditions.
Looks like they haven't had a cholera outbreak this bad in Iraq in quite a while....
Cholera Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)
FWIW, I hope someone is checking just to make sure the bug isn't getting some help.
I have a medic friend in Iraq, near this area. According to him, they believe the Cholera is not being caused by the water treatment system, but because many don’t have access to this water.
They try to find their own water supplies, which are being contaminated by the large number of refugees. At least that is their theory so far. The epidemic is spreading because there are many who are malnourished and living under pretty awful conditions. He says they are busy, but fine so far, with plenty of tetracycline, and deliverable potable water. They are working 24/7 on locating the source of the problem, and educating the population on ways to avoid and treat infection.