Unknown illness kills four

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POOR sanitation has led to the outbreak of an unidentified disease which caused four deaths in Kataipa, Upper Waria in Garaina, Bulolo, an health official says.
The situation was also exacerbated by a frost that affected food crops in the area.
Morobe health adviser Micah Yawing said adverse weather conditions was affecting communities in remote areas of Morobe
Yawing said a helicopter was unable to fly into Kataipa with health workers and instead two health volunteers who served the area were given medicines to treat people after the case was reported.
Geni Primary School head teacher Iman Billy closed the school and raised the alarm last month when grade three pupil Sioi Thomas and two adults, Jaro Mamo and Moua Taia, died from the illness.
The recent death of Martha Goroi brought the number of deaths to four while adults Vincent Bauai and Utai Javoi from Belaoka were in serious condition.
Grade eight female student Maisa James struggled to Wau via Biaru to meet her parents and be admitted to the Wau Health Centre.
Maisa’s father James Jaoi told The National his daughter was examined but the cause of the illness was not identified.
Wau health worker Tobias Werip said the symptoms were similar to epilepsy with joint aches, cold and affected internal organs. A recent tribal clash in Wau forced James to be referred to Angau Memorial Hospital where she was diagnosed with malaria parasites and treated.
“Upper Waria is a very difficult area to reach and we must find a way to bring health services to the people,” Yawing said.
“It requires a collaborative effort from Bulolo administration, local level government presidents and councillors.” Yawing said though the new Garasa health post, funded by the Asian Development Bank, would soon be operational, Garaina health centre was still needed to be improved.
He said Kataipa needed an aid post of its own.