No Disease Outbreaks As Result Of Drought

[george]

No disease outbreaks as result of drought

RAYONG: -- Public Health Minister Suchai Charoenratanakul confirmed yesterday that there had been no outbreak of diseases as a result of this year's severe drought conditions, but warned the public not to be negligent.

Dr. Suchai acknowledged that the lack of clean water could pose sanitation problems, and said that he had ordered all agencies concerned to strictly monitor for the outbreak of diseases.

The public health minister was speaking after visiting Thailand's eastern Rayong Province, where poor results for the creation of artificial rain have left severe water shortages.

There are currently 65 provinces in Thailand which are officially suffering from drought conditions, affecting over 8 million people.

One branch district in the province is still facing such desperate water shortages that local officials are having to distribute several million litres to local residents.

Officials are concerned that the lack of clean drinking water could lead to outbreaks of diseases, including dysentery and food poisoning.

Public health officials across the country have been instructed to inform the public on how to best protect themselves against disease during the hot, dry weather.

Local health centres have also been given extra supplies of rehydration salts for patients suffering from diarrhoea.

Dr. Suchai noted that the government's Food Safety programme had made great inroads into the prevention of gastric diseases, with 54 percent of restaurants and food stalls now certified as being safe.

--TNA 2005-04-07