Iranian report: Saudi meds for Yemen tainted with HIV
Tehrani semi-state news agency asserts, implausibly, that the WHO has confirmed dozens infected with deadly virus after taking medicine provided by Riyadh
In an implausible report, a semi-state Iranian news agency claimed Saudi emergency aid for the victims of Yemen’s ongoing civil war is infected with hepatitis and HIV viruses.
Citing a Yemeni doctor, the report on Iran’s semi-official FARS news agency contended that dozens of Yemeni citizens have been infected by the potentially deadly viruses after taking medication provided by the kingdom.
According to the report Sunday, a certain Dr. Hassan Karim said the World Health Organization confirmed the findings.
The report is highly improbable, since HIV and Hepatitis viruses can’t survive outside the body for very long and are not transmitted through medicine, food or water.
After launching an airstrike campaign against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in March, Saudi Arabia pledged $273.7 million in emergency aid to Yemeni citizens in dire need of medical supplies, drinking water, food assistance and emergency shelters.
The Saudi-led campaign against the Shiite fighters has killed an estimated 2,500 people, including civilians.