Health officials fighting to contain malaria outbreak

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By PISAI GUMAR
THE health authorities are battling a malaria outbreak in Bulolo, Morobe, which has forced the suspension of classes at a school.
People affected live at Bia-Waria in Bulolo.
Bia-Waria School head teacher Jairus Yabang told The National that the outbreak began in December.
“Four of our six teachers were severely affected and students too,” he said.
“So I decided to suspend classes for an indefinite period.”
Yabang said the lack of communication facilities plus financial constraints faced by the Morobe provincial administration delayed the delivery of medical assistance by the provincial health authorities.
Disease control officer Edwin Benny and Bulolo MP Sam Basil sent nurses Geame Gaugung, Tobias Werip and Elijah Steven to the area to assess the situation and treat the sick.
They confirmed the malaria outbreak and two dysentery cases and diarrhoea.
Steven said 647 people were tested at the Onepa, Surupia, Saga-Tari, Mukeri, Bakeri and Asama villages.
Of the 305 blood samples tested, 192 were confirmed positive and 113 turned up negative for malaria.
There were dysentery cases and 345 cases of other ailments.
“We have diagnosed and treated them based on the blood tests while health and hygiene awareness were also conducted,” Steven said.
Two critically ill patients were airlifted to Lae yesterday.