Poor sanitation blamed for continued PNG outbreaks

Last Updated: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 16:19:00 +1100

A task force in Papua New Guinea is warning outbreaks of cholera, dysentery and influenza are far from over, after 12 new cases were reported in the city of Lae.

Health officer Dr Likei Theo says the cholera outbreak in rural districts is contained, but in Lae city, urban squatter settlements are posing more problems.

He says water and sanitation at the overcrowded settlements could trigger a new wave of illnesses.

Dr Polapoi Chalau from the Angau Memorial Hospital says so far they have treated 163 cases of cholera, but he believes the infection rate is much higher.

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