A cholera outbreak in Myanmar has led to 300 cases reported in Shwe Kokko, a town bordering Thailand's Mae Ramat district in Tak province. In response, the Thai Ministry of Public Health has sent resources to aid Myanmar, including medication for 2,400 cholera patients and nearly 5,000 doses of cholera vaccine.

Unofficial reports estimate around 7,000 cases across Myanmar, with the outbreak affecting major cities such as Yangon, Mandalay, and areas in Rakhine state. In Thailand, four cases have been confirmed in Mae Sot district, involving two Thai nationals and two Myanmar citizens, all of whom are receiving treatment.

Thai authorities have dispatched 24,000 cholera treatment tablets via Mae Ramat Hospital, sufficient for 2,400 patients, along with 1,482 vaccine doses. An additional 3,500 doses are expected next week. The Department of Disease Control notes that the vaccine provides six months of immunity against cholera.

To curb the spread, the Thai government is urging citizens to consume thoroughly cooked food, boil drinking water, and maintain hand hygiene. Officials emphasize that cholera is not airborne and highlight the importance of sanitation, especially for those in shared eating environments or in contact with at-risk individuals.

In Tak province, public health officials, military personnel, and local authorities are working together to educate border communities. At Ban Huay Nok Lae School in Mae Ramat, health experts have provided guidance on cholera prevention.

Border security has been tightened, with military patrols preventing illegal crossings and port officials monitoring the hygiene of freight operators to minimize cross-border transmission. Local authorities in Mae Sot are ensuring that individuals who had contact with the four confirmed patients receive treatment.

Residents are advised to remain cautious and follow preventive measures, including the "eat hot food, use tablespoons, and wash hands" protocol, to limit the disease's spread.

Source and Photo Cr.: Bangkok Post