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Burma News in Malaysia (r)
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Measures to contain cholera29 May 2001 ( From NSTP )
I REFER to the current cholera outbreak in Selangor. It was reported that a Myanmar worker was the cause of the outbreak. It is apparent that foreign workers should be rigorously screened.
However, the WHO states that the introduction of cholera into a country cannot be prevented but its spread within a country can be contained by appropriate control measures. The disease affects at least 98 countries.
Cholera is contracted by drinking water or food contaminated with a comma-shaped bacterium. The source of the contamination is usually the faeces of an infected person.
Ironically, with the water rates being increased in Selangor, citizens would have expected a safer supply of water and a more effective sanitation system. But this was not the case. In the US for instance, cholera outbreaks are relatively rare probably due to the hi-tech water and sanitation systems.
Cholera infection is usually symptomless or mild in the majority of cases. In about five per cent of cases there is profuse diarrhoea with vomiting and leg and abdomenal cramps due to rapid loss of electrolytes leading to death within a few hours.
Treatment generally is by big doses of oral rehydration solutions which are pre-packaged glucose and salts to be mixed with water. Doxycycline is the antibiotics usually given as well in severe cases.
The public must be generally made more aware of the disease and its prevention:
Drink only boiled water (without ice). If you use a water filter, you still have to boil the water as the filter only partially removes the offending bacteria, if at all.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruit that you have peeled yourself.
In short "boil, cook it, peel it or forget it".
Breast-feeding gives added protection to babies and infants.
Personal hygiene including washing hands with soap after using the toilet and before meals must be enhanced. The authorities must increase the optimal level of chlorine in water by at least 0.5 per cent.
Dr A. Soorian
Seremban
MINN Kyaw ( + 6019-3624395 )
Burma Democracy Movement Committee
P.O.Box 10383 ,
50712 Kuala lumpur,
Malaysia. Fax : + 603 907 469 03.
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<FONT color=red size=3>Measures to contain cholera<SMALL>29 May 2001</SMALL> ( From NSTP )<BR><BR></FONT>
<DIV>
<P>I REFER to the current cholera outbreak in Selangor. It was reported that a Myanmar worker was the cause of the outbreak. It is apparent that foreign workers should be rigorously screened.<BR><BR>However, the WHO states that the introduction of cholera into a country cannot be prevented but its spread within a country can be contained by appropriate control measures. The disease affects at least 98 countries.<BR><BR>Cholera is contracted by drinking water or food contaminated with a comma-shaped bacterium. The source of the contamination is usually the faeces of an infected person.<BR><BR>Ironically, with the water rates being increased in Selangor, citizens would have expected a safer supply of water and a more effective sanitation system. But this was not the case. In the US for instance, cholera outbreaks are relatively rare probably due to the hi-tech water and sanitation systems.<BR><BR>Cholera infection is usually symptomless or mild in the majority of cases. In about five per cent of cases there is profuse diarrhoea with vomiting and leg and abdomenal cramps due to rapid loss of electrolytes leading to death within a few hours.<BR><BR>Treatment generally is by big doses of oral rehydration solutions which are pre-packaged glucose and salts to be mixed with water. Doxycycline is the antibiotics usually given as well in severe cases.<BR><BR>The public must be generally made more aware of the disease and its prevention:<BR><BR>Drink only boiled water (without ice). If you use a water filter, you still have to boil the water as the filter only partially removes the offending bacteria, if at all.<BR><BR>Eat only thoroughly cooked food or fruit that you have peeled yourself.<BR><BR>In short "boil, cook it, peel it or forget it".<BR><BR>Breast-feeding gives added protection to babies and infants.<BR><BR>Personal hygiene including washing hands with soap after using the toilet and before meals must be enhanced. The authorities must increase the optimal level of chlorine in water by at least 0.5 per cent.<BR><BR>Dr A. Soorian<BR><BR>Seremban<BR></P></DIV><BR><BR><P><FONT color=mediumblue><STRONG> MINN Kyaw </A>( + 6019-3624395 ) <BR></STRONG></FONT><FONT color=mediumblue><STRONG><FONT color=red size=3><STRONG>Burma Democracy Movement Committee</STRONG></FONT><FONT color=mediumblue><STRONG><BR> P.O.Box 10383 , <BR> 50712 Kuala lumpur, <BR> Malaysia. Fax : + 603 907 469 03. </STRONG></FONT></P></STRONG></FONT></FONT></STRONG><p><br><hr size=1><b>Do You Yahoo!?</b><br>
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