Emergency action for the Ministry of Health: It is necessary to be careful!

The Ministry of Public Health issued a statement saying: “As soon as news was received that some cases of diarrhea had been recorded at the center affiliated with the Association for Social Services for the Elderly in the Abu Samra area in Tripoli, northern Lebanon, a team from the epidemiological surveillance program and a health team for emergency intervention went to the place, accompanying all From the head of the Health Authority in the North, Dr. Saad Sabouna, and the Tripoli district doctor, Dr. Rabih Amoun, in cooperation with the Red Cross, which dispatched two teams.

He pointed out, “Immediately, the Ministry’s team began conducting the necessary rapid checks, as it was found that there were cases of cholera. In parallel, the concerned teams classified the patients, and those who had symptoms of diarrhea were isolated from the rest of the elderly. Fourteen people were transferred to Tripoli Governmental Hospital as a procedure.” Preventive and proactive, to prevent any deterioration in their health status, knowing that the condition of all of them is stable.

And he continued, “As for the rest who did not show any symptoms of infection, and their number exceeds two hundred and fifty people, the continuous vaccination process has begun until the task is completed.”

He pointed out that “the Ministry, in cooperation with Dr. Munther Hamzeh, in charge of the Lebanese University laboratory in the North, took samples of the water and food used in the center, and the results of the tests will be announced as soon as they are issued to confirm the source of cholera infections. It should also be noted that the Ministry and the Red Cross teams immediately upon their arrival.” Take all necessary sterilization measures to limit the spread of infection.

He added, “While waiting for the results, the Ministry of Public Health is interested in confirming that the cholera epidemic has not ended and may appear in any epidemic hotspot, although the efforts taken by the Ministry over the past two months led to it being contained to a large extent. However, it is necessary to be careful and not neglect preventive measures and the use of water.” clean, sterile vegetables, and expediting the receipt of the vaccine, especially in the targeted areas in the first and second phases.

The statement concluded, “The ministry also reminds all concerned parties to work to establish quick and effective solutions to secure clean water, purify sewage water, and ensure that filthy water does not mix with used water, because confronting cholera is a shared responsibility and requires addressing the causes, not just the results.”