[07/March/2009]

SOCOTRA, Mar. 07 (Saba) - Cases of tuberculosis rose in the Socotra Island in 2008 by 110 percent, head of the Island Program for Combating Tuberculosis has said.

The increase was large compared with cases recorded in previous year when only 37 cases were diagnosed.

Almost 50 cases were recorded by the Unicef in 2008, out of which 18 cases were turned over to specialized medics, Abdullah Muhammad al-Mawali said, attributing the increase to malnutrition caused by the soaring prices of foodstuffs.

Noteworthy, an only 7 year- child case was registered while youth remained most affected by the disease, he added.

About 80% of the population on the island is under poverty line.

Among other reasons, the head says, are hard jobs most of the people of the island do with low awareness about prevailing diseases.

FR