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New Delhi 16 June 2008 - The World Health
Organization and Health Cluster partners have released the first disease
surveillance bulletin in cyclone affected areas based on the Early Warning,
Alert and Response System (EWARS). Between 1-7 June, 685 cases of acute
respiratory infections, 117 cases of bloody diarrhoea,
542 cases of acute diarrhoea, 337 cases of
trauma/injuries, 10 cases of measles, 5 cases of malaria and three cases of
suspected dengue hemorrhagic fever were reported.
WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other
stakeholders has developed a plan of action for dengue prevention and control. Dengue is endemic to Myanmar however the number of
cases is expected to rise due to a possible increase in mosquito breeding
sites after the cyclone. WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health in measles
vaccination for all children aged 9 months to 10 years.
WHO is playing a key role in a comprehensive impact
assessment conducted by the UN, ASEAN and the Myanmar Government.
WHO experts are actively involved in training, planning, management and
logistics for the assessment. This Post-Nargis
Joint Assessment (PONJA) has two components: community-oriented Village Tract
Assessment, and Damage and Loss Assessment, which will focus on the cost of
rebuilding the damaged infrastructure. Over 20 UN teams comprising of more
than 200 experts are involved.
“Data from this assessment will help us respond
effectively to the health needs of the affected people. We will be able to
tailor our actions precisely to their needs” said Dr. Samlee
Plianbangchang, WHO Regional Director for
South-East Asia, on his return from Myanmar.
Over 6 million liters of water is being disinfected daily,
covering the needs of approximately two million people. 50 water treatment
units have been sent to Myanmar
out of which 10 have been deployed in the Delta. Local staffs are being
trained to use these units. Rainwater collection is increasingly being
introduced and represents the main source of fresh water in southern parts of
the Delta. Sea water has contaminated ponds, which are the main source of
water for many villages, and are being cleaned on a priority basis.
“The quality and availability of water remains a major
health concern. Based on our past experience in disasters, WHO
standards and guidelines in water quality management are being applied on the
ground” said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal
Singh, WHO Deputy Regional Director for South-East Asia.
WHO in collaboration with Ministry of Health is planning
more field visits during the coming weeks to provide technical assistance on
the ground, to help monitor the health response activities, identify gaps and
plan further interventions.
For further information, go to: http://www.searo.who.int
New Delhi:
Ms Vismita Gupta-Smith, Public Information and Advocacy officer, WHO
South-East Asia Region Tel: +91-11-23309401, e-mail: guptasmithv@searo.who.int;
Bangkok:
Mr Chadin Tephaval,
Communications Officer WHO Thailand, Tel: +62-2-5807535 email: chadin@searo.who.int;
Geneva: Mr Paul Garwood,
Communications Officer WHO Health Action in Crises (Geneva),
cell phone +41-794755546 garwoodp@who.int
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