key: cord-314609-83t1je92
authors: Daw, Mohamed A.
title: Corona virus infection in Syria, Libya and Yemen; an alarming devastating threat
date: 2020-04-02
journal: Travel Med Infect Dis
DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101652
sha: 
doc_id: 314609
cord_uid: 83t1je92

nan

Since its emergence, the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) infection has been quickly spreading through all over the world [1] . However, no study has yet determined the impact of this infection on countries with armed conflicts such as Syria, Libya and Yemen. Here in we would like to highlight the burdens of corona virus on these countries and how it could be contained. Armed conflicts have resulted a high rates of Mortality, injuries and population displacement. The highest rate of mortality was reported in the Syrian conflict (7; 1000) followed by Libya (5; 1000) and Yamen (3; 1000). Such conflicts were complicated by the destruction of health care system, lack of food and unstable daily life [2] . This was resulted in emergence of highly infectious diseases such as hemorrhagic fever, cholera and Tuberculosis [3] . The emergence of the new COVID-19 has resulted in a large number of deaths in European countries like Italy, Spain and France which considered to have heath care services with good quality an probably the best standards. Regarding the infectious period, transmissibility, clinical severity, and extent of community spread, the European public health measures are not able to fully contain the outbreak of COVID-19.Thus they are facing this pandemic hardly and appealing for international help [4] .

Hence then the spread of this contagious infection in Syria, Libya and Yemen will have a catastrophic impact not only on the citizens of these countries but all over the world. Corona virus have been confirmed in all countries surrounding Syria and full alert has been utilized in Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon, similarly those countries surrounding Libya, (Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia)as well as those surrounding Yemen (Oman and Saudi Arabia and even the African Horn countries and Madagascar) [5] . Therefore, concerns have been raised on the actual status of the spread of the corona virus infection in these countries and how they can be considered safe. These conflict countries are particularly prone to infectious disease such as corona virus and indeed difficult to trace and even hard to control. As many people were injured and thousands have been hold in prisons, refugees and immigrants camps without sanitation and food.

Despite that WHO and whole world was united to fight against this pandemic, these countries were left alone with corona virus and no help was offered. Hence then global alert should be mounted to help these countries and specific plans have to be implemented. These may include but not limited to Emergency supply to the basic needs such as gloves masks and disinfectants which lacking in these countries.

Building Emergency Hospitals for infected patients occupied with ventilation equipment and ICU services. In addition to specific quarantine places for suspected cases. Screening tests, particularly detection of corona via swabs or blood quick tests which to be obligatory implemented.

The authorhas no conflict of interest to disclosure.

No competing of interest.

The continuing 2019-nCoV epidemic threat of novel coronaviruses to global health-the latest 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan, China

Trends and patterns of deaths, injuries and intentional disabilities within the Libyan armed conflict

Libyan healthcare system during the armed conflict: challenges and restoration

Can we contain the COVID-19 outbreak with the same measures as for SARS? Lancet Infect Dis

Preliminary epidemiological analysis of suspected cases of corona virus infection in Libya. Travel medicine and infectious disease