Typhoid, flu and malaria hit Lae

By MAZIE SELMBIA
AN urban clinic in Lae, Morobe, has recorded more than 30 typhoid cases since last week.
The facility also reported an increase in malaria, influenza (flu) and cough-like symptoms.
Nursing officer at the Centre of Mercy Catholic Health Centre, Mary Narowen, confirmed that they had treated more than 30 typhoid patients since last week.
“We have received 30-plus typhoid patients at the health centre who tested positive and received treatment,” Narowen said.
She said they had also seen an increase in malaria, ‘flu and cough-like symptoms from their patients.
“If (cases) counted it will add up to more than a 100 since last week,” Narowen said.
She said most of their patients came from settlements around where the health centre was located.
“I’d say about 80 per cent of our typhoid and malaria patients came from the settlements near us such as Kamkumung and Awagasi.”
Narowen said so far they had not received any critical patients in regard to contracting waterborne diseases over the past weeks but were dealing with minor cases.
Narowen added that the current weather and continuous rainfall had caused the spread of such diseases.
Typhoid can be contracted through contaminated food and water causing high fever, headaches, weakness/fatigue, muscle aches and other symptoms, according to World Health Organisation.
The Centre of Mercy Catholic Health Centre is located in the St Therese Catholic Parish behind the Omili Primary School at Kamkumung, Lae.