An estimated 38 people—mostly children—have died from an as-yet unidentified and contagious illness in two townships within the Naga Self-Administered Zone in Burma’s far north, reports The Irrawaddy.
Local authorities sent two doctors on Friday to the village of Thankholama in Lahe Township, the first location where the disease struck. Victims have presented with a cough, and then develop dark spots and lumps on their bodies. In the final stages of the illness, they vomit blood, explained Thein Zaw, the assistant director of the Naga Self-Administered Zone.
“We can say that for the meantime, we are able to somewhat control the situation regarding this disease. The death toll has reached 38,” he said; of the 38 casualties, 34 were reportedly children under 15 years old, and four were elderly people.
It remains unknown what illness is afflicting the people of both Lahe and Nanyun townships. Loyon, a lawmaker from Lahe Township, told The Irrawaddy that locals first suspected that the children were suffering from a more common condition, but as the death toll rose, people were alarmed by how little resistance or immunity patients appeared to exhibit toward the disease.
Blood and urine samples from the patients are currently being transported to Rangoon for testing.
“We may come to know the type of disease after 10 or 15 days,” Thein Zaw said, referring to the timeframe for testing.
Fear of disease spreading to Nagaland
DIMAPUR, AUG 5 (NPN): Expressing concern over the outbreak of an undiagnosed disease in Myanmar’s northern Sagaing, which has so far killed over 30 children and could easily spread to Nagaland side of the border owing to its proximity with the affected area, International Border Area People’s Welfare Organization (IBAPWO) has appealed to the State government, especially the H&FW Department, civil societies and medical professionals to initiate proactive measures in this regard on ‘humanitarian grounds.’
In a telephonic conversation, secretary, IBAPWO, Nokshom Konyak, stated that the proximity of eastern Nagaland to the affected area coupled by free movement of people along the Indo-Myanmar border and lack of healthcare facilities, communication etc, makes the area not only vulnerable but also ill prepared in the event of a disease outbreak. In this regard, Konyak made a fervent appeal for ‘humanitarian aid,’ not only to the government but also to civil societies, NGOs, doctors, medical professionals, and individuals to collectively work towards preventing a possible breakout of the disease. (Staff Reporter)