A UN disaster official expressed fears Monday of a typhoid and cholera outbreak in Fiji following a cyclone last week that killed three people and destroyed more than 370 homes.
Hamish Weatherly, the Pacific emergency coordinator for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), said there was a risk of the potentially deadly waterborne disease typhoid spreading rapidly after the major storm.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Enteric Fevers
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Enteric Fevers are caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Typhoid and Paratyphoid Enteric Fevers are discussed.
Typhoid and Paratyphoid Enteric Fevers are caused by bacteria called Salmonella typhi. Causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Typhoid and Paratyphoid Enteric Fevers are discussed.
"UNICEF Pacific office is responding to the emergency with specific attention to water, sanitation and hygiene, given that cases of typhoid and cholera are likely to rise in the coming days," Weatherly said.
Fiji's health authorities reported three cases of diarrhoea with blood, a possible sign of typhoid, on a northern island.
Cholera
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine and is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
Cholera is an infection of the small intestine and is caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.
National Disaster Management Office operations officer Anthony Blake said according to early assessments, 376 homes had been destroyed in the cyclone and another 423 were damaged.
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Water Borne Diseases
Waterborne diseases are communicable diseases caused by diseases causing microorganisms in contaminated water. It is more prevalent during floods and in tsunami affected areas.
Waterborne diseases are communicable diseases caused by diseases causing microorganisms in contaminated water. It is more prevalent during floods and in tsunami affected areas.
SRM
