Bahrain: Bahrain is closely following up on the latest developments regarding the spread of cholera in Iraq and the recommendations of the World Health Organisation (WHO) on the issue.
Public health director Dr Mariam Al Hajiri said that an integrated plan on cholera had been devised to ensure early detection of cases and taking necessary measures to prevent the spread of the disease.
Under the plan, medical staff have been informed about ways to detect suspicious cases through providing them with basic information about the disease, as determined by the WHO, reporting the cases to the public health directorate at the Health Ministry, as well as ways to collect and analyse samples from patients, she said.
Dr Al Hajeri highlighted that the plan had been implemented at all levels through issuing circulars to all public and private health personnel, holding meetings with the concerned sides, organising workshops conducted by health culture specialists and issuing awareness raising brochures.
It is worth noting that 55 suspected cases have been detected among people coming from Iraq, and after close follow-up of the public health directorate, only seven cases, including the one detected in Kuwait, were confirmed, and all were fully treated.
Travellers to Iraq are urged to use bottled drinking water, wash fruit and vegetables and cook food with bottled or heated water.
Hands should be constantly washed thoroughly with clean water, especially before eating and after using the bathroom.
A health spokesperson also stressed the need to follow the hygiene rules and washing hands while taking care of anyone with diarrhoea.
She also requested passengers showing symptoms of diarrhoea and vomiting during their way back from Iraq to report to the nearest health centre within five days of their return from Iraq.
The ministry called on passengers coming from Iraq not to bring any food or liquids with them to prevent the spread of the disease in the kingdom.
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