Cholera Outbreak in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

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Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

There is a really good diagram here, but I can't get a good picture of it posted. Can someone help me:

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090910/thhome.htm

 

[alert]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/558

Emergency
Source:
WALLACE KIALA
THE National Government yesterday officially declared a public health emergency for disease-stricken Menyamya, Wasu in Tewai-Siassi, Lae and affected parts of Gulf and Eastern Highlands provinces.
The move follows a visit by representatives of the Government, Health Department, World Health Organisation and AusAID to Lae this week to obtain first hand situation reports from the provincial health command post about surveillance and containment of the outbreaks.
The outbreaks of cholera, dysentery and influenza have reportedly claimed dozens of lives, with hundreds more affected.
All schools and prepared food markets in Lae have been ordered closed as a precautionary measure, in an attempt to contain the spread of the outbreaks (see story on Page 2).
Despite the Health Department?s submission earlier this week for K8 million to tackle the outbreaks, only K1 million has been committed by the Government for this purpose.
The public health emergency, which was announced by Health and HIV/AIDS Minister Sasa Zibe yesterday, will give more powers to health authorities to carry out a full-scale containment exercise.
?Under this direction, all health professionals, Government agencies and NGOs in this life-saving mission are empowered to improve hygiene and sanitation and contain the diseases in affected areas,? Mr Zibe said.
Under the measure, health inspectors will:
*Ensure pit toilets are built and used in the settlements and villages and that the surroundings are clean;
*Inspect and close facilities such as restaurants or kai bars that do not comply with sanitation standards;
*Ensure the public and those who are sick strictly observe quarantine processes which would involve detection, treatment and hygiene awareness programmes;and
*Restrict movement by people.
A helicopter will be on standby at the Lae command post to facilitate distribution of supplies which include much-needed medical and other essential supplies to remote villages.
Officials in Morobe province indicated that greater powers to contain cholera and dysentery (caused by the shigella bacteria) outbreaks were required to contain the spread before more lives were lost.
Mr Zibe also strongly reminded health workers and community members that it was important for them to be protected.
?You the are at the frontline in this fight and you must ensure you stay healthy by maintaining the highest possible standards of hygiene not only to stop the disease spreading but from you getting infected,? Mr Zibe said.
Health secretary Dr Clement Malau said that an environmental health inspection survey was currently being conducted in villages along the Bumbu River.
After his visit to Lae, Dr Malau praised health teams working in the area and for the support of the World Health Organisation, AusAID, Medecins San Frontieres and other private bodies.
As of yesterday morning, figures obtained for Menyamya showed there have been 393 known cases of dysentery, with 29 deaths reported.
There have been 242 cases of cholera so far with 18 deaths, while 3,099 cases of influenza have been reported, with 51 deaths.
People in Morobe or the general public who require medical assistance and information and other updates can contact Angau Hospital CEO Dr Polapoi Chalau on 473 2205/2113 or Dr Likei Theo (provincial health officer on 473 1660).

 

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Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/555

Schools, food markets ordered to shut
Source:
DAISY TANIOVA PAWA
ALL schools and all prepared foods in markets in Lae have been ordered closed as a precautionary measure against the spread of diseases.
The order for the school closures was issued by the provincial administrator and chairman of the provincial education board, Kemas Tomala.
And the order for the ban on sale of prepared food was issued by the provincial health division.
A senior government officer said last night that the closure was a precautionary measure.
Everywhere around the city yesterday, officials from the Lae city authority and the Health Department were going around ordering people to remove all cooked food from their tables and stalls.
Health secretary Dr Clement Malau said from Port Moresby last night that local authorities were empowered to close down schools, markets or any place that posed a risk to the well-being of others.
Market stalls at the Lae main market and all other ward markets from 10-Mile into the city, and at Bumayong, Malahang, Butibam, Milfordhaven, One-Mile, Omili and Kamkumung, and East and West Taraka were visited by health officers.
They removed the vendors of cooked food. Defiant sellers were shouted down by crowds.
The order to clean up the markets came as a report was received of the death of a student at the Amba Demonstration School lower primary school.
An elderly man is also believed to have died on Tuesday afternoon while yesterday sources said a young boy from 10-Mile in Lae also died.
These two latter cases are said to have occurred within the quarantined area in the Angau Memorial Hospital.
The three dead are said to have been showing signs and symptoms of cholera.
This brings the total number of deaths in Lae to six.
It was also stated that the quarantined site was still admitting more patients but no update on the exact data for cases and cumulative figures were received.

 

[Okieman]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Alert, thank you for chasing down the news articles and posting them.

 

[Snowy Owl]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

MorobI Province should remember wh\At happened to the Senoi People.

Please do not forget and say i REMEMBERED WHAT HAPPENNED TO SENOI

sNOWY oWL

 

[Niko]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

There is a really good diagram here, but I can't get a good picture of it posted. Can someone help me:

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090910/thhome.htm

This the the best I could do.

 

[Niko]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

News

Thursday 10th September, 2009
Hospitals prepared

By JOHNNY POIYA

HOSPITALS in the Highlands are on red alert to cater for the cholera outbreak in the Morobe Province.

All the five public hospitals held disaster meetings as of early this week and have prepared isolation rooms and staff to attend to people with the first
symptoms of cholera.

Acting Mt Hagen General Hospital chief executive officer Sr Regina Koi yesterday said their disaster committee held a meeting to address the epidemic should
it arrive in the province. “We’ve already allocated a space at the provincial health office to cater for any cholera case that might arrive. We’re starting off with a capacity of 10 beds. There is no case reported as yet but we are linked with the highway and we’re no exception,” Sr Koi said.

She said the committee also looked at central points in the districts to cater for cholera cases.

“For the main hospital and provincial health services, we are prepared,” Sr Koi said.
Kundiawa General Hospital acting CEO Dr Francis Wandi said his team held a meeting on Tuesday with the provincial health adviser.

“We’ve instructed the out-patient’s staff to be very critical of patient's. There’s a circular out to all staff. Any possible cases would be immediately isolated,” Dr Wandi said.
Attempts to get the Goroka Base General Hospital management were unsuccessful but the Post-Courier understands several crisis meetings took place in preparation for the disease.

Some people from the Eastern Highlands side of the border near the Morobe border in Menyamya are said to have already been affected.

A staff from the hospital under the condition of anonymity said medical staff had established isolation centres and staff early this week.

The staff said the hospital may have recorded its first cholera patients but could not confirm with the management.

Wabag and Mendi General Hospital have also held meet-ings and established a crisis team and isolation rooms.
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090910/thhome.htm

 

[alert]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

The definitions he gives below are just general definitions. In particular, the red statement does not mean that there is H1N1 in PNG.

http://www.trupela.com/2009/09/10/government-declares-a-state-of-emergency/

Government declares a State of Emergency
By Robert on September 10, 2009

The Government of Papua New Guinea have finally declared a State of Emergency (SOE). If one takes into account the geographic remoteness of some of the affected areas, the lack of resources available to local Health Authorities and the general prevailing confusion ? it?s probably fair to surmise that the health workers on the ground are currently doing the best that they can.

The map on the left shows the degree to which the outbreak has spread throughout Morobe, Eastern Highlands and Gulf Provinces. At this stage it?s anyone?s guess as to how serious this is all going to get. As I mentioned previously my gravest concern is that the outbreak will continue to spread and eventually reach into the urban and settlement centers deep within the Highlands.

Various medical definitions courtesy MedicineNet.com follow:

Cholera
A devastating and sometimes lethal disease with intense vomiting and profuse watery diarrhea leading to dehydration which, unless immediately treated, may be fatal. Cholera was discovered in 1883 to be due to infection with Vibrio cholerae, a comma-shaped bacteria. The discovery was made by the great German bacteriologist Robert Koch (1843-1910).

Dysentery
Inflammation of the intestine, often with pain, diarrhea, bloody stools, etc. It is usually caused by infestation of the bowel by an ameba. Dysentery can be fatal, usually due to severe dehydration. Treatment includes rapid rehydration, sometimes via IV, and medication. From the Greek ?dys-? meaning ?abnormal or painful? + ?enteron? meaning ?intestine? = abnormal or painful intestine.

Influenza
Influenza, commonly called ?the flu,? is an illness caused by viruses that infect the respiratory tract. Compared with most other viral respiratory infections, such as the common cold, influenza (flu) infection often causes a more severe illness with a mortality rate (death rate) of about 0.1% of people who are infected with the virus. Unusually severe worldwide outbreaks (pandemics) have occurred several times in the last 100 years since influenza virus was identified in 1933.

Swine Flu
The swine influenza A (H1N1) virus that has infected humans in the U.S. and Mexico is a novel influenza A virus that has not previously been identified in North America. This virus is resistant to the antiviral medications amantadine (Symmetrel) and rimantadine (Flumadine), but is sensitive to oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza). Investigations of these cases suggest that on-going human-to-human swine influenza A (H1N1) virus is occurring.

Bacteria
Single-celled microorganisms which can exist either as independent (free-living) organisms or as parasites (dependent upon another organism for life).The term bacteria was devised in the 19th century by the German botanist Ferdinand Cohn (1828-98) who based it on the Greek bakterion meaning a small rod or staff. In 1853, Cohn categorised bacteria as one of three types of microorganisms ? bacteria (short rods), bacilli (longer rods), and spirilla (spiral forms). The term bacteria was preceded in the 17th century by the microscopic animalcules described by Antony van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723).

Virus
A microorganism smaller than a bacteria, which cannot grow or reproduce apart from a living cell. A virus invades living cells and uses their chemical machinery to keep itself alive and to replicate itself. It may reproduce with fidelity or with errors (mutations)-this ability to mutate is responsible for the ability of some viruses to change slightly in each infected person, making treatment more difficult.

Outbreak
Pandemic is an epidemic (a sudden outbreak) that becomes very widespread and affects a whole region, a continent, or the world. By contrast an epidemic affects more than the expected number of cases of disease occurring in a community or region during a given period of time. A sudden severe outbreak within a region or a group as, for example, AIDS in Africa or AIDS in intravenous drug users. An endemic is present in a community at all times but in low frequency. An endemic is continuous as in the case of malaria in some areas of the world or as with illicit drugs in some neighbourhoods.

Today?s newspapers reported the following on the Outbreak situation:




It?s now an emergency
Post Courier: story by Maureen Gerewa

HEALTH Minister Sasa Zibe yesterday declared a public health emergency in response to outbreaks of cholera and shigella flu in parts of Morobe Province. While making an announcement in Port Moresby health officials including the World Health Organisation country representative Dr Eigil Sorensen and Health Secretary Dr Clement Malau used the opportunity to call for people throughout the country to adhere to simple and basic personal hygiene practices to avoid contracting such diseases?



Hospitals prepared
Post Courier: story by Johnny Poiya

HOSPITALS in the Highlands are on red alert to cater for the cholera outbreak in the Morobe Province. All the five public hospitals held disaster meetings as of early this week and have prepared isolation rooms and staff to attend to people with the first symptoms of cholera?



Flu under control
Post Courier: story by Haiveta Kivia in Menyamya

PARTS of the Menyamya district affected by flu and dysentry are now under control. Morobe?s deputy health adviser and Menyamya relief team leader Micah Yawing reported on Tuesday night the outbreaks at Hakwange and Ikumdi were now under control?



Emergency
The National: story by Wallace Kiala

THE National Government yesterday officially declared a public health emergency for disease-stricken Menyamya, Wasu in Tewai-Siassi, Lae and affected parts of Gulf and Eastern Highlands provinces?



Schools, food markets ordered to shut
The National: story by Daisy Taniova Pawa

ALL schools and all prepared foods in markets in Lae have been ordered closed as a precautionary measure against the spread of diseases. The order for the school closures was issued by the provincial administrator and chairman of the provincial education board, Kemas Tomala?

 

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Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-...ency-declared-in-png-areas-20090910-fitr.html

Health emergency declared in PNG areasSeptember 10, 2009 - 2:49PM
The Papua New Guinea government has officially declared a public health emergency for disease-stricken areas of three provinces, after a spate of deaths attributed to outbreaks of cholera, dysentery and influenza.

Remote parts of Menyamya, Wasu and Lae in northern Morobe province and parts of Gulf and Eastern Highlands provinces have been affected by the outbreaks, which have reportedly claimed dozens of lives.

PNG authorities are struggling to determine the exact number of deaths and those taken ill because of the remoteness of the areas affected.

As of Wednesday morning, official figures for dysentery in Menyamya district showed 393 known cases, with 29 deaths reported.

There have also been 242 cases of cholera and 18 deaths so far, while 3,099 cases of influenza have been reported, with 51 deaths.

Figures for the other areas were not available.

A delegation comprising representatives of the PNG government, AusAID and the World Health Organisation visited Lae this week to obtain first-hand situation reports from the provincial health command post about surveillance and containment of the outbreaks.

The public health emergency, announced by Health Minister Sasa Zibe on Wednesday, will give more powers to health authorities to carry out a full-scale containment exercise.

Under this direction all health professionals, government agencies and NGOs in this life-saving mission are empowered to improve hygiene and sanitation and contain the diseases in affected areas, Mr Zibe said.

PNG Health Secretary Dr Clement Malau praised health teams working in the area and acknowledged the support of AusAID, WHO, Medecins San Frontieres and other aid agencies.

 

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Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

http://health.asiaone.com/Health/News/Story/A1Story20090910-167072.html

100 dead as PNG declares health emergency: report


Thu, Sep 10, 2009
AFP



PORT MORESBY - Papua New Guinea on Thursday raced to contain a triple outbreak of cholera, flu and dysentery which has claimed at least 100 lives and prompted a health emergency, a report said.

Health inspectors were ordered to close schools and markets, dig toilets and restrict people's movements in remote parts of three provinces, The National newspaper said, as the World Health Organisation and Australia provided help.

The impoverished Pacific nation declared the emergency on Wednesday after the deaths doubled in a week. Earlier fears of a "mystery flu" proved unfounded after the virus was confirmed as seasonal influenza.

"Under this direction, all health professionals, government agencies and NGOs in this life-saving mission are empowered to improve hygiene and sanitation and contain the diseases in affected areas," Health Minister Sasa Zibe said.

Australia's foreign aid agency AusAID, quoting WHO figures, said 20 people had died from cholera - the country's first outbreak in decades - and 243 people had suspected cases.

The National said at least 51 people had died from flu, among more than 3,000 cases, and another 29 had been killed by dysentery. Health officials could not be reached to confirm the figures.

The country's WHO representative, Eigil Sorensen, said the situation was "concerning".

"It is concerning because of the general weakness of the health care system," Sorensen told AFP.

"It's like a litmus test to see how able they are to cope with such a situation. This is a big challenge."

AusAID said it had sent water purification tablets, protective clothing, water containers and rehydration salts, as well as an environmental health expert and logistical support.

PNG officials have warned the outbreaks were proving hard to control as they were in isolated areas, with the worst-hit Menyamya district some eight hours' rough drive from PNG's second city of Lae.

"This is the worst such crisis we have seen here," Morobe provincial health adviser Theo Likei said last week.

 

[Shiloh]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Source: http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=49047


PNG students moblised to help combat spread of diseases in Morobe

Posted at 22:55 on 10 September, 2009 UTC

Papua New Guinea?s Secretary for Health, Dr Clement Malau, says they are coping, for now, with outbreaks of disease in Morobe Province.

Shigella and cholera have claimed dozens of lives over the past month and on Wednesday this week the Government announced a public health emergency.

Dr Malau says this will ensure that the reporting of the diseases by schools and other institutions is urgent.

Dr Malau says they now have enough personnel on the ground, including the mobilising of health study students from Morobe?s Divine Word University.

?We train our health extension officers and our environmental officers in that facility, so the President of the University has offered to send more staff down. Locally, the province is already organising inter-district staff cover, so up to now it is pretty much under control, but if the situation gets worse we will have to get more staff in there.?

??

 

[Okieman]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

EHP on alert
Source:
ZACHERY PER

GOROKA, which hosts its annual show and bilum festival this weekend, is on high alert amidst fears that the cholera outbreak could spread there.
One Eastern Highlander who visited Morobe province recently is suspected to have contracted cholera, and authorities are worried about the influx of people for the show and the bilum festival this weekend.
As a precautionary health measure, authorities have banned the sale of cooked food in schools and open markets,and are considering doing the same at the Goroka showground.
Provincial disease controller Jackson Appo and director medical services and physician at the Goroka Base Hospital, Dr Kapiro Kendaura, confirmed yesterday that a patient in Watabung, Daulo district, was developing symptoms of cholera.
They visited the patient who returned to Watabung from Lae a few days ago.

[snip]

CARE International, the provincial health division and Goroka Base Hospital dispatched two teams to Simbari and Amdakombi in Obura-Wonenara district that shares a common border with Menyamya district of Morobe after deaths were reported there.
The team was reportedly told by health workers in Wonenara and Simbari that the three infant deaths in the area were caused by the June-July seasonal flu and not by influenza or dysentery.

[snip]

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/607

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Menyamya battles to contain dysentery
Source:
PISAI GUMAR

THE total number of areas in Menyamya affected by dysentery stands at 21, with the epidemic gradually spreading to the border of Morobe, Gulf and Eastern Highlands provinces.
Deputy health programme adviser for Morobe, Micah Yawing, said the ongoing outbreak of dysentery had spread from Wailala at the border of Menyamya to a nearby village in the Eastern Highlands province.
He has called on the provincial health division in Eastern Highlands to collaborate closely with Morobe to take precautionary measures to contain the situation in the two provinces.
At the moment, health officials in Menyamya are still waiting from relief and medical supplies from the provincial and national governments, Health Department and from the disaster and emergency authorities.

[snip]

He said though there had been no official support, health officials in Menyamya had been dedicated and committed in effectively helping to contain the outbreak.
The total number of confirmed deaths for July to yesterday is 97, excluding unconfirmed deaths from previous reports.

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/606


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Dysentery outbreak reaches Bulolo

By PATRICK LEVO

THE dysentery outbreak has reached Bulolo with five cases reported yesterday.
Bulolo Hospital health extension officer Logan Yakam yesterday confirmed they had admitted and were treating the patients.
Bulolo is snug between Lae, where there is a cholera outbreak, and Menyamya, where 102 people have died from dysentery and influenza related illnesses.
Mr Yakam said the five cases were three adults and two children.
?They are all now admitted to hospital and we are drawing up our contingency plans,? he said.
Bulolo MP Sam Basil said yesterday he will be holding an urgent meeting this morning with his district chiefs to finalise their plans to contain any further
outbreaks of dysentery and cholera, since Bulolo is easily accessible by highway.
Mr Basil said he does not expect to receive much support from the Morobe administration and therefore will have to get his public servants to move quickly to
isolate the dysentery outbreak.
Morobe has been declared an emergency zone by the National Government with cholera outbreaks in Wasu in Finschhafen district, and Lae city, influenza and dysentery outbreaks in Menyamya district and now in Bulolo. More than 100 people have perished in the Menyamya Mountains due to influenza and dysentery and
medical teams have been canvassing the district, affected village by village this week.

[snip]

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090911/frhome.htm

 

[alert]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Okieman got almost everything tonight while I was away, but here's some more:

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090911/frhome.htm

Cholera deaths up five

By FRANCO NEBAS

THE Cholera death toll has increased to five while the number of admissions has accumulated to 63 at Angau?s Cholera Treatment Centre yesterday.
However, one death was attributed to other medical conditions, national Health Department local point co-ordinator Dr Victor Golpak revealed yesterday.
Dr Golpak said there were six deaths, however one was disputed as it was attributed to other medical conditions.
?So our figure as of Wednesday stands at five deaths while cholera admissions surged to 63 reported at Angau Treatment Centre,? he said.
The statistics show that most of the cases reported were from settlement areas within the city.
Among the dead was a 16 years old boy of Highlands origin.
The 10 cases reported on Wednesday were of six women and four men.
Reports from Wasu, in Tewae Siassi were sketchy however, it is believed that the diseases have spread further towards Madang Province.
Dr Golpak also commended business houses, private sector and Non Government Organisation (NGO) group who stepped in to assist in terms of donations.
?The AusAID and World Health Organisation have also brought medical supplies to help to contain the spread of the diseases both in Menyamya and Wasu,? he
said. Dr Golpak said there was still problems in delivery of medical supplies and water tanks to Menyamya due to deteriorating conditions of the road.
?However, the allocation of K1 million from the National Government would help in the logistics, especially to use airlifted supplies to Menyamya,? he said.
Dr Golpak said awareness campaigns had started this week and hoped it would help contain the spread of cholera.

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Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

http://australianetworknews.com/stories/200909/2683237.htm?desktop

Food ban meant to contain PNG outbreaksFirmin Nanol, Port Moresby

Last Updated: 14 hours 47 minutes ago

Papua New Guinea health authorities have imposed a ban on the sale of cooked food in public areas, in an effort to contain the spread of outbreaks of cholera, dysentery and influenza.

In PNG's Morobe province, nearly 100 people have died from the viruses since last month.

The outbreaks of cholera, dysentery and influenza have killed 97 people in the remote Menyamya and Tewai-Siassi Districts of the Morobe province.



Outbreaks spreading

Authorities says cholera and dysentery are reportedly spreading to the neighbouring Eastern Highlands and Gulf provinces.

Eastern Highlands authorities have imposed a ban on the sale of cooked food along the Highlands Highway, which links the highlands region with Morobe province.

They say cholera and dysentery are easily transmitted through contaminated food and water.

PNG's Government has declared a public health emergency which empowers health inspectors to close unhealthy facilities like restaurants and contaminated water sources.

 

[alert]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

This was from the previous day, but we missed it. I believe Hakawange, Akawanda, and Akawange are all the same village, and I know that Wailala and Vailala are the same, so the figures seem consistent.

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20090910/news04.htm

Flu under control
. . . dysentery also

By Haiveta KIVIA in MENYAMYA

PARTS of the Menyamya district affected by flu and dysentry are now under control.
Morobe's deputy health adviser and Menyamya relief team leader Micah Yawing reported on Tuesday night the outbreaks at Hakwange and Ikumdi were now under
control.
Thirty people died at Hakwange and 20 at Ikumdi between July and September this year.
Mr Yawing said Hakwange was now handed back to the community health worker who manages the village aidpost.
Health extension officer Lucy Daly, who led the team to Ikumdi, reported back by health radio they had taken control of the outbreak.
Mr Yawing said areas of Concordia, Zipa and Meinye were all under control.
"We are slowly gaining the upper hand but we still have a lot of work to do, a lot of areas to cover," he said.
The Bu'u and Angai areas, which recorded 25 deaths, had a medical team inserted by chopper on Monday.
However, late yesterday there were no reports from the team.
He said all reported outbreaks were covered except for Vailala in the Obura area of Eastern Highlands.
He said a villager from that area walked three days to Kwaplalim health centre to report that 10 people had died, allegedly from dysentery-like symptoms.
A medical team headed by an HEO attempted to land on Tuesday but their chopper turned back due to heavy cloud cover.

 

[Okieman]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Hello Alert.

I tend to concentrate on the influenza stories. The cholera and shigella outbreaks are very very important to the folks of PNG, but do not have global significance as far as pandemic spread. As you already know, influenza is a different type of "animal".

That said, thank you though for bringing over the other articles.

 

[Vibrant62]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

The other point to notice, is seasonal flu or pandemic flu, based on the numbers given we still have a CFR of @1.7% from the influenza component. That is high, regardless of which virus it might be.

3,099 cases of influenza have been reported, with 51 deaths = CFR 1.7%

 

[alert]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

The other point to notice, is seasonal flu or pandemic flu, based on the numbers given we still have a CFR of @1.7% from the influenza component. That is high, regardless of which virus it might be.

3,099 cases of influenza have been reported, with 51 deaths = CFR 1.7%

But there is a problem in the epidemiology. The 3,099 flu cases have been reported from about 12-14 villages, but almost all of the deaths were in two, including Akawanda, where there were 27-30 deaths in a village with 200 reported flu cases and 258 total inhabitants. If the flu were causing the deaths, the number of deaths in each village would be proportional to the number of cases, with 3-4 deaths in each village. It isn't. Also of note is that while flu symptoms and positive flu tests are being reported, penumonia and difficulty breathing is not. And that's the way fatal flu cases usually end.

I think a lot of the deaths are in people who have flu, but they are dying of dehydration caused by the diarrheal diseases. It is clear that a lot of people have both types of illnesses. The cholera/shigella is not just a coincidental simulatneous outbreak - it is related to the "flu" fatalities. That's why I haven't suggested splitting this thread yet.

 

[alert]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

http://www.trupela.com/2009/09/11/eastern-highlands-is-on-alert/

Browse: Home / Liklik Toksave / Eastern Highlands is on Alert
Eastern Highlands is on Alert
By Robert on September 11, 2009

Things have been pretty hectic the past 24 hours with the local Health Authorities and Goroka General Hospital starting to mobilise after confirmation that Cholera has finally worked its way into the Highlands.

Interestingly the Goroka Show is still going ahead with thousands of visitors expected to pour into town from the coastal areas as well as neighbouring Districts. Although there?s much talk about doing this and doing that ? I have yet to see any decisive action to mitigate and contain the outbreak. Having said that the management of Goroka Hospital alongside Provincial Health officials have met on several occasions over the past 24 hours in an attempt to come up with a Plan.

In the meantime 1000?s continue to travel every day between the affected areas on the coast and the Highlands!

With the settlement situation (town sewerage pours straight into Genoka) and its poor hygiene, lack of clean water supply and sprawling rubbish, folks pissing and shitting wherever they feel like it, and of course the urban collection of PNG ?fast? market food (lamb flaps and/or sausages cooked on old oil drum lids) ? heaven have mercy on Goroka and it?s people should Cholera hit this town.


A couple of information pamphlets on Cholera and Disease Outbreaks are available in the Resources section for download and reading:

Pandemic Flu Information Booklet (1.38 MB)Cholera - FAQ (53.96 KB)Cholera outbreak WHO 2004 (272.12 KB)


Today?s newspapers are reporting the following:

Dysentery outbreak reaches Bulolo
Post Courier: story by Patrick Levo

THE dysentery outbreak has reached Bulolo with five cases reported yesterday.Bulolo Hospital health extension officer Logan Yakam yesterday confirmed they had admitted and were treating the patients. Bulolo is snug between Lae, where there is a cholera outbreak, and Menyamya, where 102 people have died from dysentery and influenza related illnesses?



Cholera deaths up five
Post Courier: story by Franco Nebas

THE Cholera death toll has increased to five while the number of admissions has accumulated to 63 at Angau?s Cholera Treatment Centre yesterday. However, one death was attributed to other medical conditions, national Health Department local point co-ordinator Dr Victor Golpak revealed yesterday. Dr Golpak said there were six deaths, however one was disputed as it was attributed to other medical conditions?



EHP on Alert
The National: story by Zachery Per

GOROKA, which hosts its annual show and bilum festival this weekend, is on high alert amidst fears that the cholera outbreak could spread there. One Eastern Highlander who visited Morobe province recently is suspected to have contracted cholera, and authorities are worried about the influx of people for the show and the bilum festival this weekend. As a precautionary health measure, authorities have banned the sale of cooked food in schools and open markets,and are considering doing the same at the Goroka showground?



Menyamya battles to contain dysentery
The National: story by Pisai Gumar

THE total number of areas in Menyamya affected by dysentery stands at 21, with the epidemic gradually spreading to the border of Morobe, Gulf and Eastern Highlands provinces. Deputy health programme adviser for Morobe, Micah Yawing, said the ongoing outbreak of dysentery had spread from Wailala at the border of Menyamya to a nearby village in the Eastern Highlands province?

 

[alert]

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

Re: 177 dead, 3300+ affected by several illnesses in Papua New Guinea?s Morobe Province

This is an editorial in today's National.

http://www.thenational.com.pg/?q=node/591

Health disasters waiting to happen
Source:
The National
I WOULD like to convey my condolences to the families and relatives of all those who have died in the cholera outbreak in Morobe province and commend all those who have been working tirelessly to contain the spread of this outbreak.
I have been following the situation closely and feel embarrassed by our public servants? attitude.
Firstly, health awareness is non-existent in Morobe.
Suddenly, health awareness campaigns mushroomed following the cholera outbreak.
There is no excuse why this important activity was neglected all this while.
Secondly, the response from Morobe provincial health authorities is a reactive measure.
We need to be pro-active and start thinking strategically about how we are going to counter such outbreaks in future.
Questions that need answers are:
* Why were there no drugs at health centres and aid posts?;
* Why is there a shortage of staff?; and
* How come there are no replacement for those who have retired or retrenched?
I will not be wrong if I were to say the first thing public servants blame is lack of or nil funding.
But just look at how much money had been and continue to be abused and diverted.
Look at how much money has been wasted on administrative costs to attend meetings, hold conferences in hotels, etc.
Thirdly, it is about time we, public servants, review our ethical values and question ourselves whether we are truly serving the public?s interest or our own.
I am totally shocked to learn the first case of cholera outbreak in Wasu was reported to health authorities a month ago but nobody took any notice.
It was only when the World Health Organisation stepped in and we decided to follow them that ?all hell broke loose?.
Let us get our priorities right and be seen to be accountable to our own people.
Finally, it is really frustrating when the National Government took its own sweet time to declare a state of disaster in Morobe.
Why is it taking a wait and see approach?
For all purposes and intents, the Morobe provincial government should have acted immediately instead of playing musical chairs and follow the leader.
Where was the governor?
When it comes to declaring a state of emergency to protect some rich foreign-owned investments, we see the Government using all its resources and powers.
But when it comes to saving the lives of its own people, forget it!
May God protect Morobe province and its people.

Franco Wawen
Via email