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New Delhi 21 May
2008 - Myanmar
cyclone survivors have received more than 350 metric tonnes
of medical supplies from the World Health Organization, its Health Cluster
partners and bilateral contributions. The agency is intensifying efforts to
prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases, including water- and vector-borne
diseases such as dysentery, cholera, malaria and dengue.
"It is vital that the 2.5 million people severely
affected by Cyclone Nargis are provided the
emergency medical treatment needed to prevent a second wave of casualties
from occurring," said Dr Eric Laroche,
Assistant Director-General for WHO's Health Action in Crises and head of the
Global Health Cluster effort.
77 738 people have been killed by Cyclone Nargis and another 55 917 are missing, according to the
latest official figures. Another 19 359 are reported to have been injured.
Medicines, safe drinking water, adequate sanitation facilities, appropriate
temporary shelter, vaccinations and safe food are needed to prevent the
spread of communicable diseases among survivors.
The cyclone damaged about 50% of health facilities in the
worst affected areas and disrupted access to supplies and health care
services in many parts of the country. While substantial amounts of emergency
medical aid have arrived in the country, much more is needed.
WHO is coordinating the Health Cluster response to the
post-cyclone emergency. Members of the cluster
include multiple UN agencies and some two dozen international nongovernmental
organizations. The cluster is working in close collaboration with the Myanmar
Ministry of Health.
Guidelines for management of diarrhoeal
diseases; cholera, dengue, leptospirosis and
snakebites, as well as management of cadavers, risk assessment of
communicable diseases and intersectoral rapid
assessment were provided to the Ministry of Health and the health cluster by
WHO.
“WHO has supplied 13 emergency health kits which can
provide medical care for 390 000 people for one month. Four additional WHO
International staff have been granted VISAs. Our national staff in Myanmar are delivering
these supplies directly to the township hospitals.” said Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Deputy
Regional Director for WHO’s South –East Asia Regional Office who is heading
the Myanmar
emergency operations.
There have been reports of severe diarrhoeal
cases. Cholera is endemic and authorities are using cholera treatment
protocols to respond to all severe diarrhoeal
cases. Malaria cases have been reported. Malaria is also endemic to Myanmar,
and increased numbers of cases could emerge within the next 4-5 weeks.
Some 13 000 insecticide-treated bed nets have been sent
to Myanmar,
and another 20 000 will be dispatched shortly; to help prevent potential
vector-borne disease outbreaks. Thousands of tablets of the insecticide deltamethrin are also being dispatched to prevent the
spread of such diseases. Five hundred dengue fever disease kits are being
dispatched to detect and confirm cases. Fogging machines are being used to
spray temporary shelters in affected townships to prevent and control
vector-borne disease outbreaks. Intensive disease surveillance efforts are
also underway.
Many survivors may also require psychosocial support to
deal with the mental trauma of the cyclone and its aftermath.
For
further information, go to: http://www.searo.who.int
Press
contacts:
Ms
Vismita Gupta-Smith, Public Information and Advocacy officer, WHO South-East Asia Region (New Delhi), Tel: +91-11-23309401, e-mail: guptasmithv@searo.who.int;
Mr Chadin Tephaval, communications officer WHO Bangkok, Tel: +66-81-5901524 email: chadin@searo.who.int ; Mr Paul
Garwood, communications officer WHO Health Action in Crises (Geneva),
temporary cell phone +41-794755546
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