Khaberni - Jordan anticipates the health developments in its northern neighbor, Syria, following the announcement of a cholera outbreak in Daraa Governorate. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed its close monitoring of the updates and its commitment to implementing health and preventive protocols at all border centers and crossings, in cooperation with the relevant entities.
A responsible source at the ministry confirmed that imports from Syria are still continuing, currently including the import of agricultural products, among them apples and other varieties, explaining that the ministry adopts control measures and precise laboratory examinations at border crossings through its specialized offices, according to Al-Ghad newspaper.
The source added that the ministry will take the necessary measures within the global health protocol if it receives an official communication from the National Center for Epidemic Control and Infectious Diseases, to take additional precautionary measures related to agricultural products imported from Syria.
Syrian official media sources reported cases of cholera in Daraa, prompting the authorities there to impose a health emergency and form specialized committees to monitor the situation and take necessary actions to limit the spread of the infection.
Dr. Adel Balbeisi, head of the National Center for Epidemic Control, emphasized that the risk in such cases focuses on leafy agricultural products that are difficult to wash thoroughly and remove microbes attached to them, pointing out that the ministry's teams have been monitoring the epidemiological situation in the kingdom for many years, conducting weekly exams ranging from 300 to 400 diarrhea cases among health center visitors to ensure there are no cholera infections.
Balbeisi explained that Jordan has not recorded any cases of the disease so far, but he confirmed that the center will contact the ministry to take additional precautionary measures and intensify inspections at border centers and crossings, especially on vegetables and agricultural products coming from Syrian territories.
At the same time, farmers and exporters expressed their concerns that the cholera outbreak in Syria could affect the local agricultural sector, urging official agencies to intensify periodic inspections on imported products, in cooperation with the Food and Drug Administration, and tighten control at border crossings to ensure no infection or contaminants are transmitted through the imported vegetables and fruits.
Cholera is considered a dangerous epidemic disease that is transmitted through water or food contaminated with the bacterium 'Vibrio cholerae,' infecting the small intestine, causing severe diarrhea and dehydration, which can lead to death within hours if not promptly treated. Specialists confirm that prevention depends primarily on ensuring water source cleanliness, washing vegetables and fruits well before consumption, and adhering to personal hygiene rules and washing hands with soap and water consistently.
This Jordanian move comes in the context of persistent monitoring of health developments in the region, within a preventative approach aimed at protecting national food and health security, and preventing the transmission of any cross-border diseases or epidemics that could affect the health of citizens or the safety of agricultural products circulating in the local markets.
