Syrian Family, Including 5-day-old baby, Shows Symptoms Of Chemical Exposure In Suspected Gas Attack By ISIS

A Syrian family has shown symptoms of chemical exposure in suspected gas attack by the Islamic State group, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), an international humanitarian-aid non-governmental organization, claimed. The medical charity said Tuesday that the family comes from an area, where ISIS militants are active.

An MSF-run hospital in Aleppo province in northern Syria treated a 5-day-old baby girl, a 3-year-old girl and two adults Friday, after they came to the hospital an hour after an ISIS attack. The family was suffering from inflamed skin, conjunctivitis, red eyes and breathing difficulties.

MSF's program manager in Syria, Pablo Marco, said in a statement that it was impossible for the charity to ascertain who was responsible for the chemical attack, if any.

“The patients’ clinical symptoms, the way these symptoms changed over time, and the patients’ testimony about the circumstances of the poisoning all point to exposure to a chemical agent," Marco told Reuters. “MSF has no laboratory evidence to confirm the cause of these symptoms.”

The medical staff transferred the family, which came from Marea where ISIS militants had launched an attack against other rebels, to another hospital for specialized treatment after treating them and giving them oxygen. MSF said that Marea had been under intense bombardment by mortars and artillery for a week.

According to MSF, the house of the family was hit by a mortal shell on Aug. 21. They said that a yellow gas had filled their living room.

A Syrian American Medical Society Foundation field hospital in Marea treated a number of patients with shrapnel wounds. According to an Aug. 23 press release, more than 23 civilians showed symptoms of chemical exposure.

It was identified to be a mustard gas attack, which seriously affected the people. Blood samples as well as hair and clothing samples will reportedly be tested for a more detailed assessment.