Burma Waterborne diseases biggest risk
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Burma Waterborne diseases biggest risk*
* David Batty
* The Guardian,
* Friday May 9 2008
What is the main health risk after the cyclone?
The primary risk following the flooding of the delta region is the
outbreak of diseases spread by contaminated water, such as diarrhoea,
cholera and typhoid. Aid agencies on the ground report that flooding and
broken pipes have allowed sewage, toxins and groundwater into the water
supply. Lakes, rice paddies and streams are also dirty because they are
littered with corpses. Stagnant water is providing a breeding ground for
bacteria and mosquitoes. According to Save the Children, more than a
third of deaths in previous similar disasters have been caused by
waterborne diseases.
Which diseases pose the most immediate threat?
Initially, the most likely killer is acute watery diarrhoea, which
causes dehydration. Those most at risk are under-fives, the sick, the
old and the pregnant. Cholera, which causes severe diarrhoea and
vomiting, is the next major worry. In severe cases people suffer
progressive organ failure as they get weaker. It can spread rapidly in
areas where there is poor sanitation because the bacterium can be spread
in human faeces. There are already reports of an outbreak in the
Irrawaddy delta. Other threats include typhoid and hepatitis A, both
passed on by contaminated food and water. Symptoms of the former include
fever, abdominal pain, appetite loss, constipation or diarrhoea. Without
treatment it is fatal in 10% of cases.
What about later on?
Within two weeks there could be outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever,
which are both spread by mosquitoes. The malaria parasite infects the
liver and destroys red blood cells. It initially causes flu-like
symptoms. There can also be diarrhoea, coughing and jaundice. Without
treatment it can kill by causing anaemia and by clogging the capillaries
that carry blood to the brain or other vital organs. Another threat is
posed by dengue fever, which is endemic in Burma. Symptoms include
fever, joint and muscle pain, nausea and vomiting. Some sufferers
develop severe bleeding known as dengue haemorrhagic fever, which can be
fatal. There is no specific treatment, although most people recover in
two weeks.
What other health risks are there?
Survivors also risk contracting tetanus and infections from injuries as
they rummage through their destroyed homes. Overcrowded conditions in
shelters for homeless survivors often also lead to outbreaks of
childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella, whooping cough and
chicken pox. Women are also at risk of vaginal infections caused by
wading through polluted water. This can cause infertility.
What can be done to address the risks?
Immediate efforts are focused on restoring water supplies and
sanitation. Unicef is sending 3m water purification tablets to Burma,
sufficient for 1.3m gallons (5m litres) of water - enough for 200,000
people for a week. Meanwhile aid agencies are preparing water tanks and
pipes. Sanitation can be improved with new community latrines.
Waterborne diseases can be treated with medication and rehydration kits.
Providing bedding treated with insecticide and mosquito nets should
curtail the spread of malaria and dengue fever. Vaccination programmes
can tackle outbreaks of childhood diseases.