Step up your personal hygiene, says Parkop

NATIONAL Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has called on residents to increase their basic hygiene practices to help contain the spread of cholera into the city in light of the first case reported last week.
Mr Parkop on Friday announced that Port Moresby had confirmed its first case of cholera, which has been treated and contained at the Port Moresby General Hospital on Jan 26.
He said that cholera is a water-borne disease that can spread really fast in the city as many of the residents still do not practice proper hygiene, share many things and live in areas that have limited clean water supplies.
Mr Parkop reminded everyone that the simplest ways to contain and avoid getting cholera was to always wash hands before handling food and after using the toilet.
He advised that extra precautions such as washing and boiling food and vegetables before eating, looking after homes and personal hygiene were all ways in which each person could help to minimise the spread and threat of cholera.
Betelnut chewers were especially urged to always wash the nuts before chewing and to stand away from rubbish areas when eating food.
Mr Parkop stressed that hygiene was now the biggest concern for all residents as many do not take health messages seriously.
He said that the possible outbreak of the disease could affect the socio-economy of the city, which could mean that overseas investors would not want to travel to the city.
“I appeal to all that practicing basic hygiene is important.
“And I want to assure all of us that the NCDC is taking serious actions against this disease but we can only succeed if the public can do their part by doing what we’ve been telling you to do,” he said.
NCDC health surveyors acting chief Allen Kone said that in an ongoing attempt at containment since the breakout in Morobe, they had distributed awareness pamphlets and posters to cover clinics, schools, settlements, sporting venues, villages and all public areas within the city.
Mr Kone said that with the first case here, the NCDC would be working really hard to spread the awareness message.