EU warns against outbreak of infectious diseases in Turkey and Syria

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) warned on Monday against viral spread of food and water-borne diseases, respiratory infections, and vaccine-preventable infections in the coming weeks in areas impacted by earthquakes.

News Center- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) released a statement on Monday warning against viral spread of food and water-borne diseases, respiratory infections, and vaccine-preventable infections in the coming weeks in areas impacted by earthquakes.

The ECDC reported that the damaged utility infrastructure may increase the occurrence and transmission of food-and waterborne diseases.

According to the ECDC, a cholera outbreak in camps that shelter those who were affected by the earthquake in Syria and Turkey is possible in the following weeks. The ECDC added that the risk of outbreaks increases as survivors are moving to shelters, where “crowding cannot be avoided.”

The EU urged the necessity of providing access to healthcare, shelter, potable water, and adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities in order to alleviate the risk of infectious disease threats.