Epidemics in shelters, new wave threat

[Tonka]

http://www.caracol.com.co/nota.aspx?id=1399905

Spanish to English translation

Epidemics in shelters, new wave threat
Caracol | December 17, 2010
A part of the winter disaster, epidemics begin to threaten the national public health and the victims who are in shelters, reported the National Director of Public Health, Lenis Urquijo.

Seasonal flu, stomach ailments, diarrhea and hepatitis are the evils that have been found within the affected population.

The government has given a refill on the stock of vaccines to combat these diseases, and calls on governors and mayors to incorporate additional assumptions that lead to generating prevention plans.

Colombia faces a high risk of spread of cholera in the winter
The National Director of Public Health, Lenis Urquijo, warned of the threat of an outbreak of cholera on behalf of the winter crisis facing the country.

"Given the health infrastructure, provision of potable water, adequate sewage disposal collapsed in the emergency site, the risk of transmission of cholera is very high, "said Urquhart.

The official called on local leaders to remain under monitoring shelters and water supplies to prevent the spread of cholera.

Colombia so far not recorded any cases of the disease.

[LaMenchos]

Re: Epidemics in shelters, new wave threat

The effects of the severe winter combined now with the HUGE areas flooded by the Magdalena River (Colombia's largest river) due to the recent rupture of the Dique Canal in the Department of Atlantico in northern Colombia, so far affecting 5% of the country's population, will no doubt seriously compromise the health and wellbeing of countless people.

[LaMenchos]

Re: Epidemics in shelters, new wave threat

http://www.caracol.com.co/nota.aspx?id=1399905


Colombia so far not recorded any cases of the disease.

Thank you Tonka! This is very telling. I have come across several reports of ill people ever-so-slowly being evacuated from a few of the more severely and longer affected flooded areas. Many people have no access to health care, are simply trapped and have no way out. Some are living on rooftops and trees. All this suggests that the government agencies are not reporting the cases, possibly in part, because they are overwhelmed with the incredible magnitude of the current flooding problem. As I am able, I will be translating some of the material posted in Spanish today regarding the emergency Colombia lives to provide a better sense of what is happening down there.