Hepatitis outbreak infects dozens in Daraa’s Mahja
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Dozens of residents in the town of Mahja in the countryside of Daraa, southern Syria, have been infected with hepatitis A in recent days, amid concerns over contaminated water sources and deteriorating public health conditions.
Medical sources in Mahja told local media that more than 100 cases of hepatitis have been recorded, with numbers continuing to rise daily. The sources indicated that the scale of infections suggests a collective source rather than isolated cases.
They pointed to contaminated drinking water as the primary suspected cause, urging relevant authorities to conduct immediate testing and address pollution. They also called for the removal of widespread waste dumps in the area, which they believe contribute to the spread of the disease.
In response, Syria’s Ministry of Health announced an emergency intervention to contain the outbreak of hepatitis A in the town. The ministry said that the increase in cases had been monitored since April 14, with infections peaking between April 19 and 20.
According to the ministry, health teams conducted a field investigation on April 21, recording 58 suspected cases concentrated in specific neighborhoods. The majority of infections were reported among children, with evidence of transmission within households.
Local health services in southern Syria have faced significant challenges over the years due to infrastructure damage and limited resources, affecting their ability to respond effectively to outbreaks.