DATE=2/9/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=WHO / INGUSHETIA (L ONLY)
NUMBER=2-258984
BYLINE=LISA SCHLEIN
DATELINE=GENEVA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The World Health Organization, W-H-O, says
there is a danger of tuberculosis spreading among
Chechen refugees who have fled to the neighboring
republic of Ingushetia. Lisa Schlein reports from
Geneva.
TEXT: The World Health Organization says it is
concerned about the state of health and potential for
epidemics among Chechen refugees in Ingushetia. An
estimated 180-thousand people have fled the war in
Chechnya and sought safety in Ingushetia.
W-H-O medical officer Edward Kossenko says the danger
of tuberculosis spreading among these I-D-P's, or
internally displaced people, is critical.
/// KOSSENKO ACT ///
A lot of I-D-Ps came from Chechnya and there's
overcrowding among the host families and in the
camps. I-D-Ps come, so you understand the
sanitary conditions and the hygienic conditions
don't permit to stop the spread of disease.
/// END ACT ///
W-H-O says T-B rates have increased steadily in recent
years in the North Caucasus region. It says the
disease is particularly high in Chechnya where no
treatment has been available for some time.
Figures from 1998 -- the most recent available -- show
the number of T-B cases in Ingushetia rose to more
than 80 per 100-thousand people from 65 the previous
year. And, preliminary estimates show that the
situation is getting worse.
Dr. Kossenko says W-H-O found 197 active cases of
tuberculosis among the 180-thousand Chechens in
Ingushetia. He says this is a high figure, but he
fears it probably underestimates the true number of
cases.
He says W-H-O has put people with active cases of T-B
into the hospital so they will not spread the
disease to others.
/// KOSSENKO ACT ///
But, of course, there is no guarantee that all
active T-B cases was identified and put into the
hospital. So you cannot exclude that some T-B
active patients are still in the camps or the
host families among the general populations.
/// END ACT ///
The World Health Organization says it will provide
local doctors with laboratory equipment and training
about how to control T-B. Normal treatment for
tuberculosis lasts six to eight months and must not be
interrupted for it to be effective.
W-H-O says treatment for the Chechens may not work
because the refugees are likely to move away before
the full course is completed. (Signed)
NEB/LS/JWH/JP
09-Feb-2000 10:57 AM EDT (09-Feb-2000 1557 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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