Climate change and globalization have accelerated the spread of diseases. Jordan is not immune to the effects of what is happening around it. Infectious diseases have not disappeared but mutate and return.

Amid escalating global challenges and the spread of epidemics, Jordan ranks among the countries preparing effectively to face the threat of infectious and emerging diseases.

In an exclusive interview with Al-Rai, public health and epidemiology consultant Dr. Ghazi Sharkas confirmed that preemptive preparedness to face epidemics in the Kingdom is no longer optional but a national necessity.

Sharkas pointed out that the world today is more vulnerable to the spread of epidemics for several reasons, including technological advancement, the closeness of countries, and globalization, which has facilitated the transmission of diseases from one country to another.

He added that diseases may spread through travel, goods, or contact between humans and animals, especially when forests are destroyed or large areas open where humans and wildlife come close, turning animals into reservoirs for epidemics like rats, and that consuming certain animals such as bats poses a risk.

Sharkas indicated that the transmission of diseases from animals to humans is now the main cause of epidemic outbreaks, stressing that having a strong health system facilitates control, but wars, floods, earthquakes, and natural disasters disrupt the health system, allowing infectious agents to spread unchecked.

He spoke about the mutation of microbes and the evolution of viruses and bacteria, making some resistant to antibiotics, citing what was witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic, where the virus evolved and changed, posing challenges in treatment and prevention.

Sharkas pointed out that climate change plays a fundamental role in the reappearance of diseases that had disappeared and the emergence of new diseases. Drought, rising temperatures, and low rainfall create a fertile environment for the proliferation of viruses, insects, and disease vectors, especially when coinciding with transmission from animals to humans.

Regarding the situation in Jordan, he explained that the health system is good, preparedness is advanced, there are good disease surveillance systems, and a national center for epidemic control exists, but this does not prevent exposure to challenges from climate change, globalization, and surrounding wars.

He added that respiratory diseases such as respiratory syncytial virus, influenza strains, and seasonal coronavirus are more common during winter.

He warned about the role of food and water in transmitting some diseases, such as food poisoning, water contamination, and Shigella bacteria, noting that Jordan has been free of cholera for decades but there is a risk of its emergence from neighboring countries, so constant vigilance is necessary.

Sharkas said, “Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes pose an increasing risk due to climate change, such as leishmaniasis, while malaria is currently not present in Jordan.”

He stressed that the Ministry of Health has developed its capabilities in addition to continuous surveillance, electronic reporting, weekly activities to monitor any new patterns of respiratory diseases, periodic water testing, monitoring food establishments to ensure safety, and full emergency preparedness through the national epidemic control center.

Regarding the importance of prevention and testing, Sharkas emphasized the necessity of adhering to vaccinations, especially influenza vaccines for at-risk groups, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases, as well as screening for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and immune disorders, because weakness in these factors makes a person more susceptible to infectious diseases.

In a warning to prepare for winter, Sharkas pointed out that respiratory diseases and viruses spread during this season, and citizens should not underestimate influenza and colds, should prepare with medicines and vaccines, and follow health measures such as distancing, wearing masks when needed, and hand sanitizing.

He considered that there is no need for panic but caution is necessary, as Jordan is not immune to an epidemic at any moment and must be ready, noting that the era of epidemics continues and the World Health Organization takes this matter seriously.

He called for strengthening the health system, surveillance processes, and following WHO guidelines to keep Jordan safe from infectious diseases, urging citizens to obtain information from official and specialized sources to avoid media chaos that disperses public opinion.

He confirmed that Jordan has a strong health system and has improved surveillance and monitoring institutions but remains vigilant to climate changes, globalization, and wars that threaten health stability, considering prevention, vaccination, and awareness enhancement essential components to prevent epidemics before they occur.