Bahrain is safe from cholera: Health Ministry
Close on the heels of an international report that cholera disease has sneaked to Bahrain and other countries in the region, the Heath authorities yesterday reassured that Bahrain was safe from cholera.
On Thursday, United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Iraq Director Peter Hawkins said, “A cholera outbreak in Iraq has spread to Kuwait and Bahrain, and risks turning into a region-wide epidemic.”
His claims came as millions visited the infected country during the past two weeks, as part of the Ashura commemoration activities. Visitors included hundreds from Bahrain. However, no exact numbers of infected Bahraini visitors were announced.
In a press statement issued yesterday, Public Health Director Dr. Mariam Al Hajiri confirmed that “out of 55 suspected Bahraini cases reported from Iraq recently, only five cases were confirmed.” She explained that the detected cases were fully treated and recovered.
“The Ministry’s specialists are following up closely on the latest developments regarding the spread of cholera in Iraq and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Dr. Al Hajiri assured.
She pointed out that an integrated plan on cholera had been devised in the kingdom to ensure early detection of cases. Head of Communicable Disease at the directorate Dr. Kubra Nasser commented: “Cholera can be transmitted by food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholera.” She called on travelers to Iraq to use bottled drinking water, wash fruits and vegetables and cook food with bottled or heated water.”
The Health Ministry called on passengers coming from Iraq not to bring any food or liquids with them.
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