ENB lifts cholera ban

THE East New Britain cholera working committee has lifted the temporary ban it placed on selling of cooked food in public places, schools, stores and markets.
The chairman Bernard Lukara said the decision was based on the concerted efforts of awareness, desensitisation and social mobilisation emphasised by authorities together with the public’s general response to the threat posed by the outbreak in certain parts of the country.
He said the general improvement in the cholera epidemic management nation-wide indicated significant improvement in the containment and infection control measures  with key messages reaching the community.
However, Lukara said the potential for re-emergence and re-infection should not be discounted completely.
“The public health system and business houses have also been further advised to be vigilant in monitoring and surveillance and in the practice of personal hygiene and safe food preparation as there are potential risks for residual disease transmission,” he said.
Lukara acknowledged the efforts and understanding of the business houses, the media and the public in general.
“Your efforts and understanding have tremendously assisted in keeping the disease at bay and in ensuring the province to be safe from potential public health threats,’’ Lukara said.