Panama launches anti-cholera campaign

PANAMA CITY. November 1. KAZINFORM Panamanian Health Ministry launched a campaign Monday by deploying 1,495 staff members to prevent a cholera outbreak during the nationwide celebration of Independence Day that falls on Wednesday, Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

The ministry said that the campaign is part of the mobilization launched by the Pan American Health Organization to prevent the cholera outbreak as happened in Haiti.

Health authorities will mobilize some 80 health centers, 68 ambulances and 13 ambulance ships for the campaign. The health ministry also deployed 234 health inspectors for environmental sanity, food safety and water quality control and health promotion. Authorities would also fumigate celebration venues and other public places.

The government also urged the people to adopt good hygiene habits, such as washing hands as well as washing fruits and vegetables before eating them.

Last week, Panama issued a yellow sanitary alert to avoid the spread of cholera via its main airports and maritime ports, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com