Raqqa: The spread of malaria among civilians

Raqqa: The spread of malaria among civilians

Jul 22 2024

ARK News.. Raqqa city witnessed the recording of several cases of malaria among civilians, due to the spread of mosquitoes carrying the parasites that cause the disease, in light of difficult health conditions and the absence of basic preventive measures.

The Syria TV website reported that the weakness of medical capabilities, the lack of appropriate laboratories, and the absence of means of prevention and pest control by the Syrian Democratic Forces controlling Raqqa city, led to the spread of "malaria" in city's countryside.

According to the source, the sources indicate the possibility of an intense return of cholera in Raqqa city due to the population’s reliance on unsterilized water sources, despite receiving financial and material assistance to sterilize drinking water.

The source confirmed that the Syrian Democratic Forces are committing fraud on donor organizations, as they receive significant support for the medical sector and the fight against communicable and contagious diseases, but they invest only a small percentage of this support (not exceeding 5%) in prevention or providing treatment.

The source pointed out that the disease is spread through the "Plasmodium" parasite, which is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes, and in light of the lack of means of eliminating insects and parasites in the eastern region of Syria, especially areas close to bodies of water and rivers, these areas appear to be candidates for further spread of diseases and epidemics.

According to the World Health Organization, malaria is a preventable and treatable disease, and more than 619,000 people lose their lives every year due to the disease.

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