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Flu outbreak claims six in Garaina
Aug 17, 2007
By PETER KORUGL
SIX people are reported to have died from an influenza outbreak in Garaina, Morobe province.
Reports reaching Lae blamed the outbreak on the prolonged heavy rain in the area, adding the deaths occurred between the months of June and July but the reports arrived at the provincial headquarters only last week.
?We have received the reports and I have sent a patrol into Garaina. They have not reported back to us but we are mobilising a medical team and drugs to move them into the affected areas soon,? provincial Health adviser Dr Theo Likei said.
Details of the deaths were not available but Dr Likei said recent heavy rain in Morobe induced an influenza outbreak in the Garasa, Omura and other parts of Garaina that led to the deaths.
He said the full extent of the outbreak was not known because reports reaching his division were sketchy due to communication problems between Lae and Garaina.
?We were not able to verify the reports and the people we had in the area had not come back but we were preparing medical supplies and making logistic arrangements.
?We had been doing this over the past two days,? Dr Likei said.
Heavy rain has pelted Morobe since July, causing flooding and landslides in Finschhafen, Nawaeb and parts of the Huon Gulf area which covers Garaina.
The deaths have prompted health authorities to urge the people in the province to keep out of the rain and the cold.
Chief executive officer of the Angau Memorial Hospital Dr Polapoi Chalau and Dr Likei yesterday warned people to keep out of the rain and protect their children.
The two doctors said children especially, should be protected from the rain and the cold otherwise they could catch influenza, pneumonia or other health problems, which were bound to occur at this time.
?Malaria was another problem we could expect. When the rain ends, the mosquitoes breed so we should take care that all excess water around the homes are drained.
?Furthermore, the floods are bringing all kinds of rubbish into drinking water and streams so we must also be careful,? Dr Chalau said.
They said the full extend of the health problems brought about by the flooding in rain affected areas were not known at this stage but it was important that people take good care of themselves.
Meanwhile, the provincial authorities expect to receive a full report of the flood and landslides in the Pindiu area of Finschhafen district today when officers in the area return to Lae.
http://www.thenational.com.pg/081707/nation2.htm
Flu outbreak claims six in Garaina
Aug 17, 2007
By PETER KORUGL
SIX people are reported to have died from an influenza outbreak in Garaina, Morobe province.
Reports reaching Lae blamed the outbreak on the prolonged heavy rain in the area, adding the deaths occurred between the months of June and July but the reports arrived at the provincial headquarters only last week.
?We have received the reports and I have sent a patrol into Garaina. They have not reported back to us but we are mobilising a medical team and drugs to move them into the affected areas soon,? provincial Health adviser Dr Theo Likei said.
Details of the deaths were not available but Dr Likei said recent heavy rain in Morobe induced an influenza outbreak in the Garasa, Omura and other parts of Garaina that led to the deaths.
He said the full extent of the outbreak was not known because reports reaching his division were sketchy due to communication problems between Lae and Garaina.
?We were not able to verify the reports and the people we had in the area had not come back but we were preparing medical supplies and making logistic arrangements.
?We had been doing this over the past two days,? Dr Likei said.
Heavy rain has pelted Morobe since July, causing flooding and landslides in Finschhafen, Nawaeb and parts of the Huon Gulf area which covers Garaina.
The deaths have prompted health authorities to urge the people in the province to keep out of the rain and the cold.
Chief executive officer of the Angau Memorial Hospital Dr Polapoi Chalau and Dr Likei yesterday warned people to keep out of the rain and protect their children.
The two doctors said children especially, should be protected from the rain and the cold otherwise they could catch influenza, pneumonia or other health problems, which were bound to occur at this time.
?Malaria was another problem we could expect. When the rain ends, the mosquitoes breed so we should take care that all excess water around the homes are drained.
?Furthermore, the floods are bringing all kinds of rubbish into drinking water and streams so we must also be careful,? Dr Chalau said.
They said the full extend of the health problems brought about by the flooding in rain affected areas were not known at this stage but it was important that people take good care of themselves.
Meanwhile, the provincial authorities expect to receive a full report of the flood and landslides in the Pindiu area of Finschhafen district today when officers in the area return to Lae.
http://www.thenational.com.pg/081707/nation2.htm
