An estimated 200 people have been infected with an unknown, contagious disease in the Shahjoy district of Zabul province in southern Afghanistan.
Abdul Hakim Hakimi, Taliban’s director of public health in Zabul province, told Hasht-e Subh today (Wednesday, May 18) that the virus had originated in the village of Shaikhal in the Shajoy district, where at least 200 people had been infected so far.
According to him, dozens of people have been transferred to Qalat hospitals, in the center of Zabul and Shajoy hospital for treatment.
Hakimi adds that the disease has not been diagnosed yet, stating that the patients have symptoms similar to cholera. He said that the medical staff is trying to control the disease.
Hakimi has asked for help from medical institutions operating in the province. Among the patients who have been transferred to hospitals, some are in critical condition.
Taliban governer’s spokesperson in Zabul say they are unaware of the exact number of people infected with the disease, sressing that 100 people from Shajoy district who were not in good condition have been transferred to Qalat.
Doctors say that the main cause of this disease is the lack of hygiene by the people.
Earlier, a similar disease had spread in Zabul, which was controlled by the medical staff.
