Typhoid outbreak in Morobe LLGs

 By PISAI GUMAR

COMMUNITIES in two local level council areas in Bulolo and Menyamya districts of Morobe are suffering from outbreaks of typhoid and dairrhoea, according to provincial health adviser Dr Micah Yawing.

He said the affected communities were in the Waria LLG, in Bulolo, and Kome LLG, in Menyamya. 

Yawing said many children from communities near Garaina station were reported to be suffering from whooping cough.

“The report is still sketchy for Garaina outbreak while we are yet to receive Menyamya outbreak report,” he said. 

He added that six communities in Kome were affected by water borne diseases including dysentery, dairrhoea, typhoid and malaria.

Yawing said the Menyamya outbreak was the result of heavy rain that caused landslips and damaged food gardens, livestock, coffee gardens and water sources.

He assured the affected people that provincial disease control officer Edwin Benny Bou would lead a team to Garaina to assess the situation.

“The team will be in the area for two weeks to assess situation, treat patients, immunised children, and conduct ante-natal clinics, family planning among others,” Yawing said.

He said Garaina was one of the  neglected areas in the province without health workers and public servants due to its remoteness.

“Because of no health workers, monthly mother-child health (MCH) patrols were never conducted and children were prone to be infected by any diseases and infections,” Yawing said. 

“Human life is precious and therefore the team is preparing to move swiftly as soon as medical supplies and logistics were in place as required.” 

He said health staff from Bulolo and Wau would be engaged to assist Bou diagnose and treat patients at Garaina.

Meanwhile, Kome LLG manager Peto Kaldagaso said the worst affected communities were Yinimba with 1,327 people without food and water, and the nearby Vava, Kwanimba and Vanukwe villages.

Kaldagaso said it required additional health staff and medical supplies to assist the two officers currently engaged there.

“Total patients treated were 603 and patient numbers keep increasing and the medical and food supplies were needed immediately,” he said.