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THE potential emergence of waterborne diseases in areas pummeled by a massive cyclone in Myanmar raised worries yesterday that more could still die, as reports of diarrhea surfaced and shortages of clean water created concerns of a cholera outbreak.
Because relief has been slow to reach storm victims in much of the low-lying Irrawaddy delta, some victims have been drinking whatever water is available. Many freshwater sources have been contaminated by saltwater or decaying human bodies and animal carcasses.
The United Nations estimates 1.5 million people have been "severely affected" by the cyclone. The official death toll remains at nearly 23,000, with 42,119 people missing.
There have been no reports of cholera, but it spreads quickly in areas with poor sanitation causing acute diarrhea that can lead to dehydration, kidney failure and death. UNICEF said Thursday early estimates indicate 20 percent of children in the most devastated areas are suffering from diarrhea.
"Most of the area is covered by dirty water," said Osamu Kunii, UNICEF's chief of health and nutrition in Yangon, Myanmar's largest city.
"There's a lot of dead bodies and they have very poor access, sometimes no access, to clean drinking water or food."
In addition, the World Health Organization was worried about malaria outbreaks, said Poonam Khetrapal Singh, deputy director of WHO's Southeast Asia office in New Delhi. The mosquito-borne disease is endemic to the area, and WHO has sent in 10,000 bed nets.
Singh said WHO has been informed about a few cases of diarrhea in two districts, but nothing widespread.
"We have been getting reports that safe water is an issue," Singh said. "We are trying to get more and more chlorine tablets to them."
Powerful Cyclone Nargis lashed Yangon along with the country's major rice-growing region a week ago, killing tens of thousands and leaving many more homeless. Food, water and fuel prices have soared in the aftermath, putting basic necessities beyond reach for many living in the impoverished country.
Traumatized survivors left homeless in some areas have gone without food for days, and many risk infection from injuries suffered during the storm that caused high winds and flooding.
Agencies
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