Millions of children at risk from water-borne diseases in Pakistan
The World Health Organization (WHO) is preparing to help thousands of people in case of cholera, estimating the total number at risk from such diseases at six million, said Maurizio Giuliano, spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
"WHO is preparing to assist up to 140,000 people in case there is any cholera, but the government has not notified us of any confirmed case," he said.
He also showed concerns about the typhoid, hepatitis A and E.
"Clean water is essential to prevent deadly water-borne diseases. Water during the flood has been contaminated badly. There is a shortage of clean water," he added.
Hospital sources said over 40 people including some kids died of gastro epidemic in different parts of the country, and thousands are affected. UN said it feared that Pakistan was on the brink of a "second wave of death" if not enough money comes through, due to water-borne diseases along with lack of clean water and food shortages.
"We don't have figures at this moment, but WHO is working round the clock in support for the government to come up with numbers," said Giuliano.
The Pakistani government has not confirmed any cholera case publicly so far but local media has reported a few deaths due to the disease.
UN estimated that 1,600 people have died in the floods and over 15 million people have become homeless, while Pakistan's federal flood commission has confirmed 1,423 deaths till Monday morning.
Thousands of the affected people are protesting against the lack of food, medicine, clean drinking water and shelter.
Uncontrollable water is ruling every where in the affected areas. Humans and animals are drinking water from the same dirty pounds filled with flood waters.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Sunday termed the disaster "heart-wrenching" and himself "distressed," asking the world to step up their generous support for Pakistan, Kazinform cites Xinhua. See www.xinhuanet.com for full version.