It seems that the institutional disintegration coupled with the depletion of all of Lebanon’s natural and environmental capabilities, in addition to the absence of any preventive or decisive measures, contributes to the current erosion of food security and public safety.
It is not strange today to hear about the spread of more diseases and epidemics among the Lebanese masses: cancerous, chronic, and pulmonary diseases, as a result of pollution in the air and water, digestive diseases and epidemics, and poisoning as a result of spoilage of what residents consume, food and drink. This leads to disorders of the liver, gallbladder and blood circulation, as a result of water corruption and contamination with sewage, for example.
As for what is disturbing in the recent wave of poisoning, it is the persistent attempts to transform the issue from a crisis related to food security, to an individual, rare case, and intervention is being done in its favor after it was infected, not before. While it is difficult to obtain accurate statistics of the injured, their numbers, and the health conditions that accompany them, it has become clear that the role of the ministries in charge, led by the Ministry of Health, is limited to reporting and partial suspension of shops with the condition of correcting the faults.
Spread of digestive diseases and poisoning
On the evening of last Saturday, August 26, and the day that followed, dozens of poisoning cases were recorded due to poor standards of hygiene and food quality in the “Beit Al Agha” restaurant in Aley, which was hosting a “Zajal” party, which was accompanied by a dinner for $13 per person. Those who attended their meals, some of them began to complain of intestinal pain and nausea, which extended to include all those present, a number of whom were later forced to visit hospitals, due to the exacerbation of the symptoms of poisoning. While a number of hospital auditors were shocked by the latter’s refusal to issue a report of poisoning, while it was suspected of an attempt to obscure the issue and push patients to remain silent.
In this context, Dana Abu Ghader, one of the attendees at the aforementioned party, notes that when the food and drinks were served, she immediately suspected that they were spoiled, especially since her aunt immediately felt nauseous. Upon their arrival at the house, symptoms of poisoning gradually began to appear on all family members. She said, “After the party ended, we learned that two people had to go to Baakline Hospital, and a report was issued proving their poisoning and the accompanying health symptoms.” She added, “I have repeatedly tried to communicate with the Ministry of Health to report it, and I was informed that they are in the process of addressing the issue, but so far we have not seen any action. This may cause the restaurant owner to get rid of all evidence of his involvement in health violations. We are also working to file a complaint against Marwan Bou Ayyash Hospital.” She refused to issue a report of a case of poisoning, after the restaurant contacted her.
official disdain
Al-Modon’s sources in the Ministry of Health reported that those concerned with this file are working hard to remedy the brunt of the phenomenon of food poisoning and typhoid, considering that it is not generalized, but it has become noticeable. And the figures do not indicate a rise in rates, according to what is in circulation.
The recent wave of poisoning in Lebanon, coinciding with the summer tourist season and the unprecedented rise in temperatures, has turned from individual cases caused by weather factors and food allergies, into a state of social-public apprehension. The Lebanese have come to suspect that restaurants do not observe food safety requirements in their services. With the continuous partial closure of shops, restaurants, and food processing plants, the late intervention of the authorities, and the deterioration of citizen confidence in the control and consumer protection agencies, it is possible to say that food security in Lebanon is deteriorating and a source of fear, and requires urgent intervention and measures to prevent the spread of the phenomenon of commercial disregard for the lives and health of consumers.
Cholera, “wheeze” and serious epidemics
Recently, news has been circulating related to the spread of the so-called epidemic of “wheeze” or jaundice or viral hepatitis A, which are considered disorders of the liver and gallbladder, and are transmitted through the fecal-oral route, originating from sewage and the arrival of fecal germs (viruses or bacteria) to the Mouth through consumption of water or food contaminated with fecal residues or through contaminated hands (while the incubation period of the disease, from the time the virus enters the human body until symptoms appear, ranges from 14 to 28 days). This is in various Lebanese regions, specifically Baalbek-Hermel.
Epidemiological surveillance data from the Ministry of Health, to record more than 1785 cases of “jaundice” throughout Lebanon, while observers estimated that the largest percentage is distributed between the Lebanese north (the largest percentage) and the northern Bekaa. This is not to mention the cases of cholera, whose causes and source are similar to viral hepatitis A, as the cases amounted to about 840 cases.
Likewise, media and medical reports spoke of the spread of jaundice in the refugee camps in Arsal and the rest of the northern Bekaa, and others blamed the refugees for causing the spread of the disease among the Lebanese, due to “the discharge of sewage into the springs and rivers that irrigate the towns of the Baalbek district.” While observers point out that the reasons do not depend only on the pressure on the infrastructure due to the refugees, as some claim, but rather that the majority of villages and towns in the Baalbek district do not have proper sewage networks. And if it is available, it is worn out and has not been treated so far, not to mention the absence of a proper sterilization culture, and drinking from unsafe water sources.
It is also because of the crops that are irrigated with sewage water, which the control agencies overlook, in rare cases of seizure. Large farmers try to bribe or intimidate the security and oversight forces. Previously, state security investigations were organized against a number of farmers who openly irrigate their crops with sewage water diverted to rivers used for drinking and containing bacteria and typhoid virus (see “Al-Modon”).
In light of the ongoing debate, the Ministry of Public Health published a statement to respond to what is being circulated in some media outlets about the spread of “hepatitis A” disease in the Baalbek-Hermel governorate, stressing that “Alpha viral hepatitis is endemic in Lebanon, which means that cases have been recorded in more than from a Lebanese region annually throughout the year. The statement adds: “Lebanon has recorded an increase in the number of cases from the beginning of 2023 to date, compared to the same period last year, especially in the districts of Tripoli, Akkar, Miniyeh al-Danniyeh and Baalbek, where the town of Arsal in particular witnessed a significant increase in the number of cases.” Lebanon’s record was recorded. To date, 1785 cases, of which 204 are in Baalbek. She added, “The epidemiological surveillance team of the Ministry collects water samples from the areas with the most cases in order to examine them in the water laboratories of government hospitals.”
Preventive measures and sample collection
Al-Modon’s sources in the “Doctors Without Borders” organization reported that a number of cases with asphyxia had been visited by the organization’s clinics and dispensaries, especially in Arsal. While the latter sent a clarification issued by the organization, saying: “In light of the spread of hepatitis A cases in Lebanon, it is important for MSF to clarify that during the past two weeks, our teams have identified 18 people showing symptoms similar to those of hepatitis A in Arsal in the Baalbek governorate In accordance with the necessary and official approved measures for reporting communicable diseases, these patients were referred to the Epidemiological Surveillance Department at the Ministry of Public Health for additional follow-up, and for laboratory tests to confirm these cases.
And the organization adds: “These figures do not confirm a significant increase compared to the cases previously recorded in the organization’s clinics. Moreover, these available data alone are not sufficient to enable the organization to give a comprehensive view of the broader epidemiological situation in the country. MSF is in the context of Her work gives free vaccinations in her clinics in Arsal and Wadi Khaled to all residents, regardless of religion and nationality.These campaigns are carried out in accordance with the national immunization program of the Ministry of Public Health, which excludes the hepatitis A vaccine.In this regard, MSF stresses its commitment to provide support if indicated. Ministry as needed.
2023-08-31 08:16:56
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