MOH records more than 5,000 cases of suffocation due to Sandstorm

Baghdad - INA 

The Ministry of Health announced the registration of more than 5,000 cases of suffocation due to Sandstorm, while calling for avoiding leaving homes, especially those with chronic diseases such as asthma.

Ministry spokesman Saif Al-Badr said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that "all hospitals, health institutions and emergency departments are on alert, and many cases of suffocation were recorded as a result of the Sandstorm that hit the country's governorates," noting that "Baghdad Governorate recorded more than 2000 cases of suffocation and one death.

He added, "This statistic is not final," noting that "the total cases of suffocation that occurred in Baghdad and the rest of the provinces are more than 5,000."

He continued, "Most of the cases are moderate to simple, and most of them left after receiving treatment," explaining that "most of the infected cases suffer from chronic diseases such as asthma, in addition to the elderly who have health problems." 

Al-Badr stressed, "there is no problem in providing the required treatment, such as medical oxygen," noting that "health institutions are still continuing to receive patients with suffocation cases."

Al-Badr called on "those who suffer from asthma to avoid leaving homes or wearing a mask or a wet cloth and placing it on the nose and mouth."