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WHO warns about disease in Iraq
07/04/2003 22:38 - (SA)
Paris - Hospitals in Iraq are so overwhelmed that there is a serious chance of epidemics of cholera and life-threatening respiratory diseases, a spokesperson for the World Health Organisation told the French television station LCI on Monday.
"We notice a big risk that epidemics are beginning, because the population has limited access to foodstuffs and potable water," Melanie Zipperer said. "It is very possible that there will be epidemics of cholera and respiratory infections."
She went on to say that the hospitals in Baghdad were completely overburdened, so that there was a grave risk that they will run short of medicines and other medical materials.
"If the situation worsens, we will be confronted with a humanitarian crisis," Zipperer said.
She said that the WHO had demanded that a "humanitarian corridor" be opened to allow access to affected populations. - Sapa-dpa
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