Burma Related News

YANGON, Myanmar: No disease outbreaks have hit the low-lying areas of Myanmar clobbered by a cyclone two weeks ago, despite fears expressed by international aid groups, state-run media said Sunday.

"Except for the usual diseases, there are no incidents of any epidemic outbreaks in the cyclone-hit regions," the National Disaster Preparedness Central Committee announced on state radio.

The World Health Organization has said some victims are suffering from diarrhea and respiratory illnesses, and aid agencies have reported a few cholera cases, but no widespread outbreaks.

Diseases such as cholera and measles are a major risk after natural disasters because survivors often live in crowded, unsanitary conditions that can facilitate outbreaks. Many foreign diplomats, relief groups and U.N. agencies have expressed concern that if consistent supplies of food, clean water and medical supplies do not reach survivors soon, many more could die.

"More than two weeks after the event, we are at a critical point," U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said. "Unless more aid gets into the country — quickly — we face the risk of an outbreak of infectious diseases that could dramatically worsen today's crisis."

The death toll from Cyclone Nargis has reached 78,000 with about 56,000 still missing, according to Myanmar's state-run television. The International Red Cross says the death toll alone may be up to 128,000, with many more deaths possible from disease and starvation unless the 2.5 million survivors are reached quickly.

Sunday's radio broadcast also said the military government, with help from international aid agencies, is providing medical care to survivors in the hard-hit Irrawaddy delta. It accused foreign media of sending out false dispatches that the government was refusing or hindering international relief aid.

The secretive military junta has been slow to accept outside aid, granting very few visas to relief workers — none to WHO. But teams of Thai and Indian doctors arrived Saturday in Myanmar to help survivors.

Local volunteers have been setting up makeshift clinics in Buddhist monasteries to treat sick people exposed to heavy rains. International aid agencies also have been ferrying supplies to the delta using their Myanmar staff members.

The military government has warned that people who hoard or trade aid supplies meant for the cyclone victims will be punished, following reports that some foreign aid was being sold in markets.