There are no official reports from tsunami-hit areas of any outbreak of
disease, but the Indian health ministry is looking into unofficial reports of a
possible diarrhea outbreak, according to Indo-Asian News Service (IANS).
"We are on the lookout for any early warning of an outbreak of epidemic in
the affected areas and are ready to cope with any situation," Director General
of Health Services S. P. Agarwal saidin Chennai, capital of Tamil Nadu Thursday
evening.
A 70-member team comprising epidemiologists and other experts are in Tamil
Nadu, Pondicherry, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh to
assist the local health authorities.
"There has been no outbreak reported by the state authorities to the health
and family welfare regional offices," the health ministry said in a statement
issued here Thursday.
"The central team of epidemiologists currently in Nagapattinam are enquiring
into reports regarding outbreak of diarrhea diseasesin the district," said the
statement.
Along with experts, Health and Family Welfare Minister AnbumaniRamadoss is in
Chennai reviewing the medical relief activities after visiting the tsunami
affected coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
The health ministry is taking additional measures to ensure safety of people
in disaster-hit areas in consultation with international agencies like the World
Health Organization (WHO).
Barring a few cases of diarrhea, dysentery and cholera, Agarwalsaid: "No
epidemic has broken out. We are watching the situation and if there is any
epidemic outbreak, we will swing into action."
Emergency medical relief of Rs. 400 million has So far been supplied to the
affected states.
About 1,000 hospital sheets and 400,000 water-purifying tabletshave been sent
to the Andamans. In addition, about 20 tonnes of bleaching powder is ready to be
airlifted to the islands.
Local authorities have been approached to convey any additionalrequirements
for drugs and emergency medical stores.
A team of eight physicians, two public health experts and 20 nurses were
deputed to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Thursday.
The Indian labor ministry is also deploying medical teams comprising doctors
and paramedical staff to tsunami-effected coastal areas.
Doctors have been authorized to purchase medicines locally if required. The
teams will work in coordination with the central andstate authorities overseeing
the relief operations.
