Adnan Hazzouri, interim Minister of Health, said that “we are communicating with the Directorate of Health in Rural Damascus concerning the treatment of typhoid epidemic. Approximate figures suggest there are between 2000 to 3000 cases of this disease in rural Damascus and East Ghouta. Sometimes typhoid cause complications that may lead to death, though we have not yet recorded any deaths of this epidemic. Typhoid exists in a number of regions of Syria, not only in Damascus, and the main reason for its spread is drinking contaminated water or using contaminated water to irrigate vegetables. The Directorate of Health in Rural Damascus has informed us of its medical needs to respond to the disease, but the blockade imposed on most liberate areas in rural Damascus impedes the delivery of medicines, so we asked the Directorate to secure them while the Ministry will pay the costs.” (Source: Syrian Coalition)