Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs at Ministry of Health Dr Majida Al-Qattan

KUWAIT CITY, Sept 2: Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health Affairs Dr Majda Al-Qattan disclosed that relevant measures are in place to prevent an outbreak of cholera in Kuwait, reports Al-Anba daily.Al-Qattan added diagnostic devices and laboratory equipment, in addition to brochures containing guidelines on ways of preventing and treating cholera are available at various health centers. She noted the hospitals are well-informed on the proper way of dealing with a possible outbreak.The measures include putting individuals who arrive in Kuwait under observation, indicating relevant steps have been taken to closely monitor all individuals coming into contact with patients, in coordination with concerned authorities.She affirmed consistent follow up of conditions at Iraq’s Basra province in coordination with concerned health groups and the World Health Organization (WHO). She also stressed the importance of avoiding unsafe water sources and food, while sticking to regulations set for passengers coming directly from Iraq.She advised all passengers arriving from Iraq to visit the nearest medical center if they suffer any symptom of diarrhea during their first week of arrival. She advised against bringing in unlicensed foodstuffs from Iraq, indicating such food will be confiscated in cooperation with Kuwait Customs Administration and the Ministry of Interior. She also called on individuals planning to travel to Iraq at this time, especially children below age 5 years old, those having weak immunity and pregnant women, to postpone the trip for their own safety until the situation is under control.‘No import of foods from Iraq’Kuwait has slapped a ban on the import of of all types foodstuffs from Iraq. The ban came in coordination between the Ministries of Health, Commerce, the General Administration of Customs and the Public Authority for Food and Nutrition, as an urgent precautionary measure because of the spread of cholera in that country, an informed source told Al-Rai daily. The daily said among the urgent measures that have been taken include all types of foodstuffs, especially vegetables, fruits, dates and drinking water in all its forms.