WHO warns of rising spread of infectious diseases among deported Afghan migrants
The WHO emphasised the need to enhance medical resources and staff capacity to address the increasing health risks.
WHO has reported a rise in respiratory infections, skin conditions like scabies, diarrhoea and suspected COVID-19 cases among those deported from neighbouring nations. The ground assessments carried out at key border points, especially Islam Qala in Herat Province, reveal that upper respiratory infections are the most common diseases spread, followed by diarrhoea and dehydration, particularly among children and the elderly. Suspected cases of scabies and COVID-19 have also been reported among deported Afghan migrants.
In response to the spread of diseases, the WHO has launched emergency health screenings and mass vaccination campaigns in collaboration with local health authorities at Islam Qala and Spin Boldak border crossings. These initiatives have been launched to stop further outbreaks and provide critical care to vulnerable people.
According to the WHO, more than 8,700 children received oral polio vaccines, and over 8,300 individuals received injectable polio vaccines at the Islam Qala crossing. Thousands of deported children have been vaccinated against measles in high-risk border areas, Khaama Press reported.
Nearly 29,000 people have been screened or vaccinated at major border points, including Spin Boldak, Torkham, and Islam Qala. WHO mobile health teams have been deployed at reception centres and zero-point borders and are conducting daily health checks on hundreds of returnees.
WHO has identified over 840 people showing symptoms of infectious disease, all of whom received immediate medical care. It emphasised the need to increase medical resources and staff capacity to address the growing health risks, according to Khaama Press reported.
As the number of Afghan migrants being deported by neighbouring nations continues to increase, the WHO called for expanded funding and coordinated efforts required to prevent large-scale disease outbreaks and provide adequate care for returnees in crisis.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
4 days ago
- Times of Oman
Afghanistan launches nationwide polio vaccination campaign to immunise 7.3 million children
Kabul: The Ministry of Public Health has launched a nationwide polio vaccination campaign targeting 7.3 million children across 19 provinces of Afghanistan. The four-day campaign, which commenced on Monday, will cover 187 districts, according to Sharafat Zaman Amarakhail, spokesperson for the ministry. "A sub-national polio vaccination campaign has begun in 19 provinces of the country, covering 187 districts, and will continue for four days. Around 7.3 million children under the age of five will be vaccinated during this campaign," said Amarakhail in a statement to Tolo News. Vaccination teams have spread throughout the streets, alleyways, and neighbourhoods of Kabul and other provinces, working to immunise children against the debilitating disease. Noor Hussain, one of the vaccinators, shared his experience of the day's efforts: "I started my work at 7 a.m. The public's cooperation in bringing their children for vaccination was truly commendable." As the vaccination campaign continues, residents in Kabul have called for the expansion of such initiatives to combat polio effectively. Ramazan, a Kabul resident, emphasised the importance of spreading awareness, urging the government to educate people about the life-saving benefits of the vaccine. "We urge the government to educate people about the benefits of the vaccine and to continue this process," he told Tolo News. Doctors have underscored the critical role of public awareness and continued investment in eradicating polio. Dr. Mojtaba Sufi, a local health expert, reiterated: "The only effective way to prevent polio is through vaccination, and these vaccines are provided by the international community." The World Health Organization (WHO) reported over twenty positive cases of polio in Afghanistan last year. However, the Ministry of Public Health has contested the accuracy of these figures, calling them "inaccurate." The campaign is part of Afghanistan's ongoing efforts to fight polio and protect the health of its youngest citizens.
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Times of Oman
Afghanistan launches nationwide polio drive to protect children
Kabul: Afghanistan is set to launch a new nationwide polio vaccination campaign on July 20, targeting children under the age of five to protect them from the debilitating virus, according to the Afghanistan Polio-Free Organization, Khaama Press reported. The campaign will be carried out across several provinces and districts and includes the administration of Vitamin A supplements alongside the oral polio vaccine to help strengthen children's immune systems. Khaama Press said this combined effort aims to boost resistance against other diseases and improve overall child health. "The campaign aims to protect children under the age of five from the debilitating effects of polio," the organization stated, urging families to ensure that no child is left out of the initiative. According to Khaama Press, the organization emphasized the role of parents and guardians, calling on them to collaborate with health teams and ensure full community participation. It added that people can contact the free helpline at 141 for more details about the campaign. Polio, a highly infectious virus primarily affecting children, spreads through contaminated water and can cause fever, fatigue, headache, vomiting, stiff neck, and limb pain. In about one in 200 cases, the disease results in irreversible paralysis. Afghanistan and Pakistan are currently the only two countries in the world where polio remains endemic, Khaama Press noted. Ongoing eradication efforts are seen as critical to protecting Afghan children from lifelong disability. "Polio vaccination is one of the most effective ways to ensure a healthier, brighter future for Afghan children," the organization reiterated, according to Khaama Press. "These vaccination campaigns represent a significant step toward a polio-free future for the country," it added, stressing that continued public cooperation is essential to the success of the initiative. In support of these efforts, Japan has provided USD 5 million through UNICEF to bolster polio eradication efforts and strengthen immunisation programs across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan, according to Khaama Press. The Government of Japan, in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has partnered with UNICEF in a 12-month initiative aimed at reaching over 13 million children with lifesaving polio vaccines and routine immunisations, Khaama Press reported. UNICEF stated on Thursday, July 10, 2025, that the new grant reaffirms Japan's longstanding commitment to Afghanistan's health sector. It will help sustain progress toward the global goal of eradicating polio, especially in underserved, conflict-affected, and hard-to-reach areas, Khaama Press noted. Afghanistan is one of only two countries in the world where wild poliovirus transmission has not yet been halted. While under-five and maternal mortality rates have declined in recent years, access to basic health services remains limited, leaving millions of children vulnerable to deadly and preventable diseases, Khaama Press highlighted. A resurgence of polio in 2023 underscored the presence of major immunity gaps, particularly among children in previously unreachable locations and mobile or cross-border populations. Despite improvements in cold chain infrastructure and expanded vaccine coverage, urgent efforts are needed to bridge these gaps.
Times of Oman
17-07-2025
- Times of Oman
Jordan evacuates 35 sick children from Gaza for treatment
Amman: The Jordan Armed Forces on Wednesday evacuated the seventh group of sick children from the Gaza Strip under the Jordanian Medical Corridor initiative, according to a military statement. The group included 35 children, accompanied by 72 family members. They were transported to Jordan for treatment in local hospitals via the King Hussein Bridge. The evacuation was carried out in coordination with the Jordanian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, and conducted under strict medical and security procedures. According to the statement, this is the largest group evacuated since the initiative was launched in March. To date, a total of 112 children and 241 family members have been brought to Jordan for medical care.
