Rise in Digestive Diseases Among Tehran Students; Epidemiology Expert Criticizes Data Exclusivity

Following an increase in cases of diarrhea and vomiting among Iranian students, an epidemiology professor at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences criticized the “lack of transparency” by the Ministry of Health in providing information about disease prevalence in dormitories.

Hamid Souri, referring to the fact that such infections could have viral origins, said: “One-third to one-quarter of those infected may have developed prolonged COVID.”

This epidemiologist stated: “Until the necessary investigations and tests are conducted, we cannot speak about it, and pointing to the Ministry of Health, we must hold this institution responsible for this matter.”

Souri said that data access in Iran is “exclusively” in the hands of a specific group and added that they, as health experts, are deprived of this information.

Following an increase in cases of diarrhea and vomiting among students at several Iranian universities, which has affected approximately one hundred people, various statements have been made by experts and health officials about the cause of this disease.

The director general of public relations at Imam Sadiq University, where 38 cases have been reported, said: “Physicians have confirmed that this is a viral infection.”

The deputy director of treatment at Tehran University of Medical Sciences told ROKNA news agency that a type of “new virus” was the main cause of students’ illness.

Saeid Nateqi said this virus is spreading “intensely” in Tehran, and many employees of Tehran University of Medical Sciences have also been infected.

Recently, the head of the Iranian Society of Internal Medicine Specialists attributed “non-compliance with health principles,” which lead to the spread of “enteroviruses,” as the factor in increasing cases of this disease.

This is while the head of the water and foodborne diseases department at the Ministry of Health said that the increase in cases of diarrhea and vomiting is “not a new disease.”

Maryam Masoudifar said that following the decline of coronavirus and the resumption of gatherings and contacts, patients have shown symptoms that “resemble the previous symptom profile”.

This is while many Iranian domestic media outlets, citing officials, report the complete end of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran and overcoming this disease within the country, although experts believe the situation of COVID virus in the country remains fragile.

Source: Voice of America