Khaberni - Hamza Salameh, the father of child Omar, a year and a half old, denied what was circulated on social media about his son's death due to a bite of the "black tiger fly," confirming that medical reports proved that the cause of death was severe brain inflammation.
During statements to Hayat FM radio, he said that his son had a sudden fever last Friday evening and showed signs of exhaustion, which prompted him to rush him to a clinic, where he was diagnosed with chest inflammation and received the necessary treatment.
He added that despite using medication, the child's condition did not improve but rather severe vomiting symptoms appeared and he continued to sleep until Saturday morning, noting that it was "unusual."
He mentioned that he returned with his child to the same clinic which then referred him to Al-Bashir Hospital for the necessary examinations, explaining that the child's condition gradually deteriorated.
He continued, saying: "He was admitted to the children's department and then transferred to the ICU hours after entering the hospital, but his condition rapidly worsened until he passed away."
He confirmed that the bite seen in the circulated photos on social media was more than three months old and was just a simple "mosquito" bite unrelated to the death, adding that what happened was the will and decree of God.
He clarified that the autopsy results showed that the child suffered from severe brain inflammation which led to his death, noting that the case has been referred to the judiciary to complete the official procedures.
Salameh expressed his displeasure with some of the offensive comments directed at him and his wife on social media, after they were accused of negligence in treating their child, saying: "By God, I did not neglect him and I took him to the doctor as soon as his temperature rose."
On his part, Adel Al-Bilbisi, head of the National Center for Epidemic Control and Communicable Diseases, confirmed that the sand fly is the insect responsible for transmitting "cutaneous leishmaniasis," known in Jordan as "Aleppo boil or Jericho boil or Baghdad boil," explaining that this disease affects the skin only and heals within days without posing a risk to the life of the infected.
He clarified during his talk to the Voice of Life program on Hayat FM radio, that infection with "cutaneous leishmaniasis" grants the infected person permanent immunity against the disease, confirming that it does not lead to death, and that the transmitting fly does not fly more than 40 meters, and is usually found in hot, moist, and dark areas.
He added: "People are the ones who go to places where this fly is found, it does not come to them, and urban expansion is what makes people approach its natural environment."
About the "black tiger fly," the head of the center clarified that it is larger than the sand fly and is distinguished by a black color striped with white, pointing out that its original habitats are in Southeast Asia and India, and confirming its absence in Jordan.
He pointed out that the definition of the "black tiger fly" is made for the purpose of education and public awareness only.
He emphasized that disease vectors do not transmit directly from one person to another but through an intermediary vector such as mosquitoes or flies, as the insect takes the infection from an infected person and transmits it to another through a bite.
He called for spraying areas where mosquitoes and flies are prevalent, assuring that relevant institutions are performing their role in this regard, and advised citizens to wear protective clothing and use repellent ointments when in areas where these insects are prevalent.
