PUBLISHED: 23 Dec 2024 at 04: 30
UPDATED: 23 Dec 2024 at 09: 46
Following two suspected cases discovered in hospitals in Tak province, the Ministry of Public Health established an emergency operations center ( EOC ) to monitor the cholera situation.
In Shwe Kokko, a city in Myanmar close to Sangat, the disease has claimed two lives and infected 300 people.
The permanent secretary for public health, Dr. Opas Karnkawinpong, stated yesterday that the proximity of Shwe Kokko and the Mae Ramat and Mae Sot districts in Tak province pose a great risk.
These areas contain many factories and a combined population of unusual nationals, he said, adding the future New Season celebrations, involving social gatherings and shared meals, farther increase the risk of infections.
The Provincial Public Health Office serves as the main operational center for preparation, and there is now an emergency operations center in Tak.
Now, 300 cases have been reported in Shwe Kokko, with two mortality and 56 people hospitalised.
In Thailand, there are two feared individuals, one being treated at Mae Sot Hospital and the other at Mae Ramat Hospital, which are pending laboratory assurance.
Both people, male and female, are Myanmar immigrants residing in Thailand.
The girl traveled to Thailand to give her child. She was thought to have had the illness from Myanmar-based family who had visited her.
Dr. Opas stated that Thailand was prepared to assist Myanmar by putting together guidelines for disease prevention and control and reducing cross-border transmission by deploying outbreak research team.
Protective measures include monitoring Thai patients who have symptoms of gastroenteritis and educating Myanmar occupants on disease prevention. As part of the steps, diligent security has also been put in place in high-risk places like border populations, factories, and temporary shelters.
In immigrant care, pharmacists, community leaders, and volunteers have been instructed to be on the lookout for severe diarrhea, ensure clean water source, and keep an eye on the quality of food vendors sell at public events.
To ensure adequate resources, the EOC has been asked to check and stock regional health supplies, including salt solutions, chlorine, seat testing kits, and swift test kits.