In Yangon, 500 people were hospitalized during a cholera outbreak
In Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, 500 people have been hospitalized since August 9 with severe diarrhea—the main symptom of cholera. Rapid cholera tests came back positive for 149 patients, according to Bo Htay, the Minister of Social Affairs for the Yangon Region.
According to him, the National Public Health Laboratory has officially confirmed nine cases caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. This was the first official confirmation of cholera more than a week after the first hospitalizations, Channel NewsAsia reported, citing AFP.
Last Thursday, more than 100 new patients were admitted to hospitals, but the number of new cases subsequently began to decline. One 92-year-old patient died after being hospitalized with diarrhea. The state-run newspaper Global New Light of Myanmar, citing officials, reported that the man died due to underlying heart and lung conditions.
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Medical professionals are conducting epidemiological surveillance and implementing outbreak control measures in the affected areas. Cholera is a severe intestinal infection caused by consuming contaminated food or water; if left untreated, it can lead to death within a few hours.
Myanmar’s infrastructure and healthcare system are under significant strain following more than five years of civil war. It is estimated that more than 100,000 people have died in the country during this time, and the economy remains in decline.
