Flu outbreak in Madang

 By DOROTHY MARK

AN outbreak of influenza, believed to be caused by the adverse weather conditions, is affecting children in Madang.

Sister-in-charge at the Modilon clinic Karen Demok said the continuous heavy rain in the past few days could have caused the outbreak.

 She said 273 children – 167 boys and 106 girls – below five years with severe cough and flu old were treated at the Modilon clinic last month.

Tasheenah Waninga, who brought her three-month-old daughter to the clinic, said many babies went down with coughing last weekend.

“My baby had strong cough and high fever and I had to rush her to Modilon on Monday night,” Waninga said.

Thompson Kapai said his three-year-old daughter coughed and vomited the whole night and was rushed to the clinic.

Demok said: “We are experiencing very heavy rain in Madang.

“Mothers must put warm clothes on their babies and keep them indoors to avoid catching cold.”

She encouraged mothers to give the young ones warm baths. 

Demok also encouraged them to bring their children and babies to hospital to get treatment quickly when they are sick or cannot breast feed well.