Highlighs
Population movement – refugee numbers in the region continue to increase. Since May 12, over 50,000 new refugees arrived in the region. At least 75% of those registered are women and children.
Operational – in Jordan, a new Public Health Strategy for Tuberculosis among Syrian Refugees has been developed. In Lebanon, UNHCR Public Health Unit held a meeting with the Director General of Health to discuss issues related to refugee health including possible utilization of the Ministry of Public Health referral control system.
Primary health care – acute respiratory infections and diarrhoea remain major causes of illness. In Domiz, Iraq, incidence of diarrhoea continues to decline from peaks observed earlier in the year.
Communicable diseases – no new measles cases have been reported from Za’atri, Jordan. The total confirmed since February 2013 is 16 (attack rate 0.02%, case fatality rate 0%). Measles vaccination activities continue in the northern governorates of Jordan. At least 75% of targetted population have so far been vaccinated.
Referrals – in Lebanon, between January and May, the leading reasons for referrals to secondary and tertiary health facilities were obsteric conditions, respiratory infections, and trauma and other injuries. Estimated total costs were highest for obstetric and neonatal conditions.
Nutrition – in Iraq, in a survey carried out in late May, data on nutritional indicators including prevalence of moderate and severe acute malnutrition (MAM and SAM) was presented. MAM was estimated at 5.2% and SAM at 2.2%.