Flu season sweeps NE Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – In northeast Syria, people worry not about corona virus, but rather the flu. The latter has swept the region this winter season.
Doctor Saad Hiso, who specializes in internal and respiratory medicine, told North Press that, in previous years, only one flu virus would spread in the region; this year there have been multiple.
Operating in the city of Qamishli, Hiso said that symptoms can be similar with varying degree of intensity, depending on mutations in the virus’ genes. How each patient will be affected depends largely on their level of immunity.
Hiso noted that certain factors are contributing to the high infection rate of the flu, such as social gatherings and non-abidance of preventative measures.
All people can really do to prevent themselves from getting infected is to wear a face mask, keep up with their personal cleanliness, and practice social distancing, says Hiso.
Although precise data is lacking, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria’s (AANES) Health Board asserts that the disease is wide-spread.
Hadiya Omar, deputy co-chair of the Health Board for the Jazira Region (Hasakah Governorate), says, “The flu which has been spread as of late is having more of an impact on patients than usual.”
Omar noted they feared corona virus had made a comeback. But it appears it is only a severe case of flu season.
“The flu is seasonal; people should not be concerned,” she added.
Omar said the local Health Board made 84 PCR tests in December. Only five tested positive. Another 78 tests were made in January; four cases came back positive.
Changes in the weather and drought have played their part in making the flu wide-spread this year, according to Omar.