Diseases common in cyclone-hit areas but 'no outbreak': MSF

by Zarni

Thursday, 12 June 2008 17:39

Chiang Mai - Medicines Sans Frontiers or Doctors Without Borders has said while diarrhea, cholera and acute respiratory problems are common among cyclone survivors in Burma, there is not enough evidence of an 'outbreak'.  "We've found over 50 cases of diarrhea in the village around this area," a Burmese doctor working with the MSF in Haing Gyi Island told Mizzima on Wednesday. "But we have been able to control the spread of the disease and there is no fear of an outbreak," he added. The doctor said he has come to the conclusion after he and his medical team travelled to over 100 villages in and around the Haing Gyi village tract, the first island to be hit by the cyclone on May 2. "After we medicated the wells, we could check the number of people suffering," the doctor said. He, however, did not comment on the health situation for other areas affected by the cyclone. Dr. Aye Kyu, a Burmese doctor in Laputta town, who operates a private clinic to help cyclone affected people, however, said diarrhea and cholera are common diseases among the survivors with at least 25 people suffering from diarrhea approaching him at his clinic daily. According to the United Nations World Health Organization's report released on June 10, so far a total of 685 cases of acute respiratory infection and 117 cases of blood diarrhea, three cases of dengue fever and four cases of acute jaundice have been found in both the Irrawaddy and Rangoon division. But the WHO did not term the cases as an outbreak adding that aid agencies in the Health Cluster are working to ensure medical supplies reach remote areas of the Irrawaddy delta. The United Nations, however, has warned that if entry of aid workers is restricted and assistance cannot be rushed, there is a potential for 'a second wave of death' caused by diseases. Meanwhile, Burma's military rulers said "So far, there has been no outbreak of contagious disease and epidemic in the cyclone-affected areas," as the government in cooperation with other departments and aid agencies have been able to control the out break of diseases. "From May 3 to June 3, a total of 183,450 out-patients and 22,589 in-patients had received medical treatment," the junta on Wednesday said in its official mouthpiece, New Light of Myanmar newspaper. But local aid workers said there are several villages, which are located in remote areas and are cut-off from the main communication lines, that are left with out any form of assistance since the cyclone struck on May 2 and 3. An aid worker, who has been helping cyclone survivors in the Irrawaddy delta told Mizzima that people in remote villages suffer from diarrhea, and acute respiratory problems. "I don't know if it is an outbreak but definitely many people are suffering from diarrhea after drinking contaminated water," the aid worker said. < Prev   Next >