WHO issues alert on potential disease outbreaks in Lebanon

The World Health Organization has issued a warning regarding the potential for disease outbreaks in Lebanon.

News ID: 85137

Date: 08 October 2024 - 15:22

TEHRAN (Defapress) - A representative from the World Health Organization has indicated that outbreaks may arise due to overcrowded conditions in displacement shelters and the closure of hospitals.

"We are currently confronted with a significantly elevated risk of disease outbreaks, including acute watery diarrhea, hepatitis A, and various vaccine-preventable illnesses," stated Ian Clarke, the deputy incident manager for Lebanon, during a video conference from Beirut to a news briefing in Geneva.

The UN health agency has previously cautioned that the healthcare system is under severe strain, noting that five hospitals in the region have ceased operations, while four others are functioning at reduced capacity, according to Clarke.

Israeli military attacks have commenced in the southwestern region of Lebanon, resulting in over 1,000 martyrs in the last two weeks.