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204771
Thu, 09/01/2011 - 15:24
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http://m.oananews.org//node/204771
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Disease outbreaks rise in flood-hit Pitsanulok Province
BANGKOK, September 1 (TNA) - The Pitsanulok Provincial Health Office reported on Thursday that new cases of malaria, leptospirosis and red-eye diseases have been rising in the flood-hit lower northern Thai province.
Pitsanulok's public health chief Dr. Bunterm Tansurat confirmed that the number of malaria cases in the province had stood at 101 as of last month, and is expected to rise further this month.
Dr. Bunterm said that six cases of leptospirosis were also reported in May, but fell to three last month, all were recorded in Muang, Nakhonthai and Prompiram Districts; while a total of 174 red-eye disease cases were reported in July, followed by 118 in August, with the highest number of infections reported in Maprang District and Wang Thong District, followed by those in Bangrakam, Prompiram and Muang.
Dr. Bunterm said his office is currently fuming out intensive disease control measures, particularly for at least 88 villages in the Muang Pitsanulok Municipality where malaria infection rates have remained high, and has called for public cooperation in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds at home and in public spaces to break the birth cycle of the disease. Doctor Boontem also advised people in flood affected areas to avoid making unnecessary contacts with floodwater, including exposure for long periods.
Meanwhile, the flood crisis has remained critical in Pitsanulok’s three Yom River Basin districts, with floodwaters reaching over 3 metres high.
Chief of Prompiram District Prapan Chanchum described the situation, triggered by the Haima and Noc-ten rainstorms in June and early August, as the worst crisis in 10 years, fearing that it may take until November for floodwaters to fully recede.
Prapan confirmed that the present floodwater has affected a total of 95 villages in 12 Sub-districts in Prompiram, at least 10,000 farming households, at least 121,719 rais of farmlands, worth at least 72 million baht in damage, and at least 1,015 fish farms worth some 14 million baht in damage. (TNA)
Pitsanulok's public health chief Dr. Bunterm Tansurat confirmed that the number of malaria cases in the province had stood at 101 as of last month, and is expected to rise further this month.
Dr. Bunterm said that six cases of leptospirosis were also reported in May, but fell to three last month, all were recorded in Muang, Nakhonthai and Prompiram Districts; while a total of 174 red-eye disease cases were reported in July, followed by 118 in August, with the highest number of infections reported in Maprang District and Wang Thong District, followed by those in Bangrakam, Prompiram and Muang.
Dr. Bunterm said his office is currently fuming out intensive disease control measures, particularly for at least 88 villages in the Muang Pitsanulok Municipality where malaria infection rates have remained high, and has called for public cooperation in eliminating mosquito breeding grounds at home and in public spaces to break the birth cycle of the disease. Doctor Boontem also advised people in flood affected areas to avoid making unnecessary contacts with floodwater, including exposure for long periods.
Meanwhile, the flood crisis has remained critical in Pitsanulok’s three Yom River Basin districts, with floodwaters reaching over 3 metres high.
Chief of Prompiram District Prapan Chanchum described the situation, triggered by the Haima and Noc-ten rainstorms in June and early August, as the worst crisis in 10 years, fearing that it may take until November for floodwaters to fully recede.
Prapan confirmed that the present floodwater has affected a total of 95 villages in 12 Sub-districts in Prompiram, at least 10,000 farming households, at least 121,719 rais of farmlands, worth at least 72 million baht in damage, and at least 1,015 fish farms worth some 14 million baht in damage. (TNA)
