THE beleaguered inhabitants of Raqqa – Islamic State’s (IS) self-declared capital – are “being wiped out by a FLESH-EATING disease”, according to reports.
IS are said to be shutting down the organisations that are trying to combat the disease
Efforts are reportedly being made to prevent the further spread of the Leishmaniasis skin disease, which is highly virulent, in the IS stronghold.
Although organisations began work to combat the disease, this became impossible after IS is claimed to have closed down their city offices.
They also confiscated equipment and arrested officers trying to help fight the condition which can be deadly.
The first case of the disease, which is caused by protozoan parasites, was discovered in September 2013.
By the middle of 2014 500 people had been affected, according to a network of activists ‘Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently.’
More than 2,500 cases of the
flesh-eating disease have been
recorded in the north-east of Raqqa
The disease is spread by flies that are attracted by the rubble and rubbish of war.
It can sometimes be fatal and can also cause significant damage to parts of the body it affects.
More than 2,500 cases have been recored in the north-east of Raqqa.
IS is said to have a residual force of between 3,000 to 5,000 in the city, as they attempt to strengthen their so-called caliphate.
This comes after World Health Organisation reported that Syria’s health system had collapsed, meaning that disease was spreading rapidly through a country already plagued by violence
source : http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/567597/Islamic-State-Raqqa-Syria-Flesh-eating-disease
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