'500 Syrians had chemical attack symptoms'

 Geneva, April 11: The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said an estimated 500 people went to health facilities with “signs and symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals” after the attack on the rebel-held town of Douma in Syria at the weekend. It also demanded “unhindered access” to Douma in Syria. The Syrian government denies any use of chemical weapons, the Guardian reported. “WHO demands immediate unhindered access to the area to provide care to those affected, to assess the health impacts and to deliver a comprehensive public health response,” Peter Salama, the agency’s Deputy Director General for emergency preparedness and response, said in a statement issued in Geneva. The WHO cited reports that 70 people were killed in the attack. It said its “health cluster” partners reported that 500 people had suffered symptoms consistent with exposure to toxic chemicals, including difficulty breathing, irritation of mucous membranes, and disruption to the central nervous system. (IANS)