Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – More than cholera (99 cases detected) it's the dengue fever that is worrying health professionals engaged in Pakistan among the displaced: "There are more than 3,000 reported cases with 29 deaths already," Fides was told by Fr. Aris Miranda, of the Camillian Task Force, currently working in Pakistan. The dengue alarm has also been reaffirmed in a meeting between Margaret Chan, WHO Director-General, on a mission to Islamabad, and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, in which they discussed the health situation in flooded areas.
In an update on the situation, Fr. Aris Miranda tells Fides: "In the provinces of Jhang, Gogra, Multan, Layyah, and Muzaffargarh in Punjab and in those of Kotri, Hyderabad, Badin, Thatta Sindh, which we have just visited, we found many refugees with malaria and dengue.”
"We need shelter, water, and medicines. Most of the houses have been destroyed, people are living in tents or makeshift shelters with no toilets and exposed to many diseases. Winter is on its way the people are in need of winter clothing. They need drinking water. Medical care and medicines are needed for victims of dengue. The main risk of a possible further outbreak of dengue fever is death on a massive scale and spread of diseases such as malnutrition, prevalent among children," continues Camillo. "We appeal to the international community for more medical aid and shelter for the victims. We also ask that they provide the people with alternative livelihoods, as the land is not yet ready for cultivation because of the floods and people must pay their debts to their owners."
Fr. Robert McCulloch, SSC, Chairman of the Board of Governors of St. Elizabeth Hospital, Hyderabad, during his meeting with representatives and professionals from various health organizations involved in humanitarian aid operations, including the WHO, said that there are no reports of cholera epidemics have been given by government health officials. Also, in the local media (television and newspapers) they have mentioned the possibility of dengue fever. Br. Aris said that “the causes are due mainly to poor sanitation and stagnant water. We found many places in the Province of Sindh submerged in water. In Khushpur, a Christian village in the Diocese of Faisalabad, people drink dirty and contaminated water taken with hand pumps from 16 feet under ground. According to residents, the groundwater level is shallow, and although not scientifically proven, this results in a slower withdrawal of accumulated waters and water contaminating even the water table is very important for these people.” (AM/AP) (29/10/2010 Agenzia Fides)
