‘Vigilance necessary vs airborne diseases’

A visiting World Health Organization official has called on the CNMI to continue to be vigilant against the entry and spread of any airborne diseases such as the bird flu, which has been reported in certain parts of Asia.

WHO Head of Mission and Representative for South Pacific Dr. Ken Chen said WHO is willing to work closely with the local government in terms of prevention and emergency preparation programs.

“We need to be prepared. Yes, we’re far from these places, but we’re far by only one flight so they say,” said Chen, who met with Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Department of Health officials on Wednesday.

Chen, who is based in Fiji, is on island to submit his credentials as the newly appointed WHO official in the region, as well as to participate in a four-day immunization survey in the CNMI, which begins this week at the Multi-Purpose Hall.

The official, at the same time, highlighted the need to curb tobacco and alcohol use, as well as betel nut chewing, among islanders.

“What’s even worrisome is that some people are mixing cigarette and betel nut. There have been studies linking betel nut chewing to oral cancer so it’s always a concern to us,” he said.

He said that betel nut chewing with cigarette is most prevalent in Palau and Papua New Guinea in the Pacific islands.

Local health officials acknowledged that it also occurs in some local groups.

DPH Secretary James U. Hofschneider said during Wednesday’s meeting that the department has always been extra vigilant against airborne diseases or respiratory illnesses, given the fact that the Commonwealth has only one hospital.

“Our situation requires that we have to be very vigilant,” he said, adding that he favors having an isolation room or a filter system to isolate sick people and prevent contamination.

DPH officials said that health representatives from other Pacific island governments, as well as Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands, are currently on Saipan to conduct an immunization survey.

The group will also hold a four-day training on Saipan.

The CNMI, officials said, would serve as pilot program for the project.

“They will look at the effectiveness of the immunization program in the CNMI,” said DPH deputy secretary Pedro Untalan.

The program targets children who are zero to three years old.

The immunization program is particularly aimed at preventing polio, small pox, measles, and hepatitis B, among others.

Hofschneider said that polio has been eliminated in the CNMI since seven years ago.

Chen said there is still a need to continue the prevention program to ensure the disease would not come back. He said that diseases usually spread because of the movement of people.

“We need good coverage and surveillance,” he said.

Cases of polio, he said, are still being reported in India, Pakistan, and three African countries.

Local officials reported a 77 percent immunization rate in the CNMI.

The DPH conducts free immunization at least once a year in its goal to raise the rate to 85 to 90 percent.