Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - The Za'atari camp for Syrian refugees witnessed a sharp increase in cases of epidemic diarrhea and gastrointenstinal infection symptoms among registered refugees in the past weeks, a health official said.

The infection cases reached unprecedented numbers as hundreds of cases are being treated at local health clinics and hospitals near the camp in Mafraq, in northeastern Jordan.

The diarrhea and gastrointenstinal infections may be caused by consumption of polluted water and poor sanitary conditions in the camp that are exacerbated particularly in hot weather conditions in the summer.

Ministry of Health Director of Health Care Dr. Bassam Hijjawi warned of the dangers of the spread of the infections among refugees particularly in the summer, and called for more intensive health monitoring measures in the camp.

Hijjawi told Ammon News that hundreds of cases of infection are being registered every month of refugees suffering from the symptoms.

On the causes of the infection, Hijjawi noted the crowded conditions in the camp, possible spoiled foods, and lack of health monitoring by international health agencies contribute to the spread of the illness.

"If international organizations do not help us, the conditions will only get worse," Hijjawi warned.

A number of international organizations also voiced alarm of the increasing spread of the infections among Syrian refugees in the camp.