Bahrain well-prepared to deal with cholera

Manama, Nov. 6 (BNA): The Health Ministry’s specialists are following up closely on the latest developments regarding the spread of the cholera in Iraq and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the disease, Public Health Director Dr. Mariam Al-Hajiri said. She pointed out that an integrated plan on cholera had been devised in the kingdom to ensure early detection of cases and taking the necessary procedures to prevent the spread of the disease. Under the plan, medical staff have been informed about ways to detect suspicious cases through providing them with basic information about the disease, as determined by the WHO, reporting the cases to the Public Health Directorate at the Ministry of Health, as well as ways to collect and analyse samples from patients, she said. The plan also included measures to prevent infection, treatment methods, plans for raising community awareness and communication with the relevant officials in charge of the kingdom’s air and land exits where food and liquids coming from Iraq were denied entry, she added. Dr. Al-Hajir highlighted that the plan had been implemented at all levels through issuing circulars to all public and private health personnel, holding meetings with the concerned sides, organising workshops conducted by health culture specialists and issuing awareness raising brochures. It is worth noting that 55 suspected cases have been detected among people coming from Iraq, and after close follow-up of the Public Health Directorate, only five cases, including the one detected in Kuwait, were confirmed, and all were fully treated. Head of Communicable Disease at the Public Health Directorate said cholera can be transmitted by food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera, calling on travelers to Iraq to use bottled drinking water, wash fruit and vegetables and cook food with bottled or heated water. She also confirmed the importance of constantly washing hands thoroughly with clean water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom. She also stressed the need to follow the hygiene rules and washing hands while taking care of anyone with diarrhea. She also requested passengers showing symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting during their way back from Iraq to report to the nearest health centres within five days of their return from Iraq. The Health Ministry called on passengers coming from Iraq not to bring any food or liquids with them to prevent the spread of the disease in the Kingdom.