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WHO reports contagious diseases among Afghan returnees
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported outbreaks of respiratory infections, acute diarrhea, scabies, and suspected cases of COVID-19 among Afghan returnees from Iran and Pakistan.
In a recent report, the WHO stated that between June 16 and 30, a total of 254,280 individuals entered Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan, with 92% registered at the Iran border.
The highest number of returnees (72%) were recorded at the Islam Qala border, where 849 individuals were identified with symptoms of infectious diseases. Among them, 382 people were suffering from diarrhea, 60 had COVID-19, and 66 were diagnosed with scabies, a contagious skin disease.
The WHO has warned that this year, 1.6 million people are expected to return from Pakistan and about 2 million from Iran.
The organization has also raised concerns that shortage of funds poses a serious risk to the continued delivery of healthcare services to returnees.