22 Feb 2006

Palau launches health campaign after dengue fever cases

4:21 pm on 22 February 2006

The Bureau of Public Health in Palau has launched a major campaign to encourage people to keep their properties clean after an outbreak of dengue fever and leptospirosis in the republic.

This week the Bureau announced that it had diagnosed 21 cases of dengue fever and 10 cases of leptospirosis among the population of 20,000.

The Programme Manager for Community Advocacy, Dr Isevong Asang, says there have been a number of meetings and broadcasts encouraging people to maintain cleanliness around their houses and other preventive measures.

"Considering that the population is about 20,000, we are concerned about it but at the same time we are reasonably, relatively confident that we have contained it. Educational programmes and village meetings have been held to make sure that people are aware of what steps to take."

Dr Asang says the bureau is also treating avian influenza as a threat although there have been no cases of the disease in Palau.