COVID-19 can have even more dire consequences in countries with ongoing armed conflict. Libya, the second largest African country, has been involved in a major conflict since 2011. This study analyzed the epidemiological situation of the COVID-19 pandemic in Libya, examined the impact of the armed conflict in Libya on the spread of the pandemic, and proposes strategies for dealing with the pandemic during this conflict. We collected the available information on all COVID-19 cases in the different regions of Libya, covering the period from March 25th to May 25th 2020. The cumulative number of cases and the daily new cases are presented in a way to illustrate the patterns and trends of COVID-19, and the effect of the ongoing armed conflict was assessed regionally. A total of 698 cases of COVID-19 were reported in Libya within a period of three months. The number of cases varied from one region to another and was affected by the fighting. The largest number of cases were reported in the southern part of the country, which has been severely affected by the conflict in comparison to the eastern and western parts of the country. This study describes the epidemiological pattern of COVID-19 in Libya and how it has been affected by the ongoing-armed conflict. This conflict seems to have hindered access to populations and there by masked he true dimensions of the pandemic. Hence, efforts should be combined to combat these consequences.
Daw MA, Ahmed MO, ET AL.(11-2020)

Since its emergence, COVID-19 has greatly affected all aspects of life, and no country can be considered safe. Furthermore, it has resulted in great consequences, politically, economically, socially, and even ethically, which will be difficult to contain. Even highly developed countries have struggled to tackle this pandemic, and not all COVID-19 death cases were accurately reported. Strikingly, countries that reported the lowest numbers of cases at the early stage of the pandemic are the poorest and have the least resilient health systems, often ravished by civil war such as Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen [1]. In Libya, the ability to react to the crisis is in doubt because of civil war and internal disarray. The health care system has been seriously affected, the country is divided, and two counterattack governments were appointed. The Ready Score parameter recommended by the WHO's Joint External Evaluation (JEE) applied to determine, stop, and prevent epidemics
Daw MA, Ahmed MO, ET AL.(1-2021)

A cross‑sectional study was conducted in Libya in 7 areas of Tripoli to determine the seroprevalence of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Virus (PPRV) in small ruminants (sheep and goats) between June and August 2013, and to identify the potential risk factors associated with the infection. The study involved 10% of small ruminant herds with ≥ 50 animals in the Tripoli region. They were selected randomly (15 herds), and 35 to 58 samples, depending on its size, were collected from each selected herd. Seven‑hundred and twenty‑one serum samples from unvaccinated animals (601 of sheep and 120 of goats) were collected and then tested using cELISA commercial kit in the National Center of Animal Health Laboratory in Tripoli, Libya. The overall seroprevalence was 46.7% [(sheep 44.3% (266/601) and goats 59.2% (71/120)]. Mean within‑herd prevalence was 48.5% (95% CI: 32.1% ‑ 64.8%), and the herd prevalence was 93.3% (14/15). Various risk factors at the animal and herd levels were analysed by multivariable logistic regression model (forward stepwise). The results identified breed, source of animal, and region as significant risk factors (p < 0.05). As for the source of new animal to the farm, PPRV seroprevalence was highest in illegally imported animals (90.9%), followed by the seroprevalence in animal legitimately acquired (55.8%), and by the seroprevalence in animals belonging to the same herd (4.7%). The seroprevalence among breeds was 69.5% (228/328) in illegally imported animals, whereas 27.7% (109/393) was found to be in local breed. Seroprevalence in the areas considered in this study was higher (66.2%) in Al‑Mashroa area followed by Ein‑zara (57.8%), Arada (50%), Ben‑Own (47%), AL‑Naem (37.5), Ber‑Alalem (24.5) and in Tajora (0%). The results indicated that PPRV virus was actively circulating in Tripoli regions and that the illegal importing of animals was the main source of spreading PPR in Tripoli regions, showing that better efforts should be made to raise public awareness with respect to biosecurity.
Ibrahim Eldaghayes(7-2017)