For the first time in 50 years, a cholera outbreak is affecting Papua New Guinea. Mainly concentrated in the eastern Morobe province, the disease has so far infected 283 people according to official figures.

Photo : Sally McMillan, MSF. | For the first time in 50 years, a cholera outbreak has hit Papua New Guinea.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), already working in the city of Lae, was able to mobilize quickly and assist the Ministry of Health in responding to the outbreak. Initially an isolation ward was set up in the Angau Hospital, but when cases increased, MSF built a specially constructed cholera treatment centre made out of a series of tents, established in front of the hospital. The treatment centre has a capacity of 84 beds, and so far, 90 patients have been treated by MSF teams.

“At the moment, we are not seeing a rapid increase in cases in Lae,” said Steven Cooper, MSF’s emergency coordinator. “However, as cholera is a highly contagious disease, we must remain vigilant. We are continuing to monitor the situation and assess more remote areas. We are hearing reports that cholera is affecting smaller villages so we are sending teams to examine the situation, and we will be ready to respond if necessary.”

Photo : Sally McMillan, MSF. | MSF helped construct a cholera treatment centre. Made up of a series of tents, it has a capacity of 84 beds.

As cholera has not been present in the country for 50 years, challenges have arisen in raising awareness about treatment and prevention and in reducing the stigma surrounding the disease. Some public transport providers, for example, are refusing to carry patients, meaning those people are unable to access treatment. Over the last few weeks, MSF has therefore focused energy on raising awareness about the disease, and has organized workshops on hygiene and the use of chlorine and briefed key facets of the community including schools, pharmacies and local nongovernmental organizations.

Symptoms of cholera include profuse vomiting and diarrhea resulting in severe dehydration. It is a highly contagious disease but can be prevented by following strict hygiene practices and using and drinking safe, clean water. Treatment is simple: many patients are treated using oral rehydration solution, a mixture which has the correct amount of electrolytes to rehydrate a patient. More severe cases are treated using intravenous drips.

MSF will continue to provide treatment for cholera patients until the epidemic is contained.

Photo : Sally McMillan, MSF. | MSF, already working in the city of Lae, was able to mobilize quickly and assist the Ministry of Health in responding to the outbreak. Here people entering and leaving the treatment centre area must have their footwear sanitized with a chlorine solution to prevent cholera from spreading.

In addition to cholera, there has been a confirmed outbreak of dysentery (Shigella flexineri) and influenza (Type A) in Menyama district. MSF is planning to also send a medical assessment team to investigate.

MSF has been working in Papua New Guinea since 2007. In addition to the current emergency response, teams provide free medical and psychological care for victims of sexual and domestic violence in Lae at the Angau Hospital. An MSF team is also working in the western town of Tari, providing emergency medical and surgical care for victims of violence at the Tari hospital.

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