Contaminated water affected 300 in ESP: Health worker

AT LEAST 300 persons in East Sepik’s Kaminimbit village have become sick in the past three weeks allegedly from drinking contaminated water from the Sepik River, says a health worker.
Former Raihu health extension officer Faith Tonna Yakam said: “They were diagnosed with upper respiratory tract infections, skin infections and acute gastroenteritis diseases which they suspected to be caused by water contamination.
“I usually treat about 30 patients daily for throat itchiness, shortness of breath, abscess (boils), fungal infections, ulcers and dermatitis (skin-rash).
“Callan ear and eye clinic in Wewak donated 11 kit boxes of medical supplies and I voluntarily stepped in to provide this needed medical service to those affected.”
Kaminimbit’s ward councillor Noberth Bana said: “This is an ongoing issue for the last two months.
“We have stopped using the main Sepik River.”