Over 3,600 confirmed cases of poisoning have been reported to the Ministry's Epidemiological Surveillance Department since early this year (cholera 842 cases; food poisoning 305 cases; typhoid fever 184 cases).

Cholera and hepatitis are linked to sewage-contaminated water or contaminated food and hands.

There have been 1,785 cases of "hepatitis" or "jaundice" in Lebanon since the beginning of 2023, with 204 cases in Baalbek according to the Health Ministry’s recent report on the spread of "hepatitis" in the Bekaa region.

Relevant authorities are, instead of taking serious measures to combat the spread of the disease, they are conducting awareness and guidance sessions.

"Small outbreaks," as doctors refer to them, are susceptible to expansion and spreading to neighboring areas due to people moving from affected to non-affected regions.

According to various public health doctors in multiple Lebanese regions, "hepatitis is spreading, and cases are being recorded even in Beirut."

The infections in Lebanon are not limited to children; a significant number of adults are also affected, although "outbreaks are rare in the elderly due to their acquired immunity from previous infections or vaccination."

The vaccine is available and is distributed free of charge to displaced individuals in clinics operated by international organizations.

However, Lebanese citizens have to pay for it, whether for children or adults, as it is not included in the list of mandatory vaccinations covered by the Ministry of Health.

The cost of a single dose for children is around LBP 1.5 million, while the dose for adults costs over LBP 4 million.