Doctor warns of rising illness cases linked to water pollution in Kobani
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – A doctor in the northern Syrian city of Kobani has warned of a noticeable increase in cases of poisoning, vomiting, and diarrhea, particularly among children, the elderly, and pregnant women, as prolonged water and electricity cuts continue to affect the city.
Dr. Avin Khalil told North Press on Thursday that these groups are among the most vulnerable due to weaker immune systems and face a higher risk of health complications. She said health facilities have recorded a clear rise in cases since the disruption of basic services.
“The number of infections has increased significantly since the water and electricity were cut,” Khalil said, noting that a similar situation occurred during a previous water outage nearly two years ago, when health centers also documented a rise in cases.
According to Khalil, residents have increasingly relied on well water or purchased non-sterilized water, which has contributed to the spread of bacterial and viral infections. “Polluted water is the main reason behind the growing number of cases,” she said.
She added that the influx of displaced families from surrounding villages into the city center has further worsened the situation. The use of untreated water, combined with storing water in unclean tanks, has increased the risk of contamination, she said.
Khalil warned that health centers in Kobani are currently receiving between 30 and 40 cases of diarrhea accompanied by vomiting on a daily basis. She cautioned that the health situation could continue to deteriorate if access to clean and safe water is not restored.