Iran wary of possible spread of flood-related diseases from Pakistan
TEHRAN, Aug. 30 (MNA) – Health officials of Iran and Pakistan have expressed concern over a possible spread of infectious diseases resulting from devastating floods in Pakistan.
If the floods continue, it is possible that people from flood-hit areas move to the border regions with Iran, said Dr. Ali Ardalan, head of the Iranian medical team who is visiting Pakistan.
Noting that the affected areas are 700 to 800 kilometers away from Iran, Ardalan said diseases would be transmitted if a huge crowd of Pakistanis enter Iran.
Respiratory and skin diseases have spread in flood-stricken regions in Pakistan and this may pose a threat to Iran’s border regions, Ardalan told the Mehr News Agency.
Ardalan added flood victims are facing a scarcity of clean water and medicine.
He also called on the concerned Iranian organizations to take necessary measures in order to counter potential threats.
The flood waters swept south Pakistan after leaving millions homeless and submerging millions of acres of farmland. The floods that began nearly a month ago with hammering monsoon rains in the northwest have affected more than 20 million people.