Radio Nour The Ministry of Health explains the circumstances of Sowira's disease in a Syrian refugee camp in the Sarafand region

The information office of the Minister of Public Health, Jameel Jabbah, issued the following statement:

"On 11/07/2019, the Ministry of Public Health was informed of the presence of 32 cases of hepatitis A referred to as" A "in a Syrian refugee camp in the Sarafand region – South Lebanon. the subject, the epidemiological surveillance team of the Ministry of Public Health Southern Province with the necessary investigation procedures, with laboratory verification of 16 cases.

It has also been found that most cases have been recorded in children without complications and that no deaths have been reported.

In addition, tests were conducted for the water used in the camp.

The epidemiological surveillance team in the southern governorate, in coordination with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is closely monitoring the case to take the necessary corrective measures.

In this context, the Ministry of Public Health wishes to emphasize the following points:

There is no truth about the presence of cholera cases in the Syrian refugee camp in Sarafand or any other region of Lebanon, as has been common in some media.

• Hepatitis A is caused by a virus that affects the liver and causes symptoms ranging from mild to mild, which may include: fever, malaise, anorexia, diarrhea and nausea, abdominal pain, dark urine, and jaundice.
• The disease is transmitted through the fecal-oral route, either directly through the consumption of contaminated water or food, or indirectly through direct physical contact with an infected person. The disease is also spread through the use of messy toilets and cooking utensils.
• The treatment of the disease is limited to the treatment of the symptoms while preserving the rest, the balanced diet and the compensation of the losses of liquids. It is also important not to use antibiotics as they can lead to serious complications.
• It is possible to reduce the spread of the disease by drinking and using drinking water, especially when washing vegetables and fruits and following hygienic practices, including washing their hands. before getting ready, eating and using the toilet. Wastewater must be disposed of properly. "