Contingency plan against cholera

Bahrain is stepping up preventive preparations to deal with any potential cases of cholera among people coming back from Iraq, the Health Ministry announced yesterday.

The contingency plan is being implemented in cooperation with the officials in charge of air and land entry points so as to exchange data and coordinate measures.

“Health teams will be present at Bahrain International Airport round-the-clock to ensure the early detection of any case of cholera,” Assistant Undersecretary for Hospitals and Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Primary Care and Public Health Dr Waleed Al Manea said.

Authorities have also coordinated with the Ministry of Health in Kuwait to report any suspected case of cholera among Bahrainis coming back from Iraq through Kuwait by land.

Dr Al Manea urged all people returning from Iraq not to bring with them any foodstuff – especially food products featuring liquid ingredients in their recipes – so as to avert any outbreak of cholera.

Infectious Diseases Group Chief Dr Kubra Nasser urged anyone who develops symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting while travelling or five days after returning from Iraq to report to the nearest health centre.