Sunday, January 02, 2005

Health Headlines - January 2

U.N.: Despite Aid, Tsunami Survivors Face Disease Risk

Tens of thousands of tsunami survivors are at risk from killer diseases, such as cholera, despite stepped up international aid, the World Health Organization (WHO) said Saturday.

Clean Water Key to Preventing Illness

The key to averting a health catastrophe emerging from the tsunami ruins will be basic hygiene — clean water and toilets — medical officials said Saturday.

1st Unvaccinated Rabies Survivor Goes Home

A teenager who became the first person known to survive rabies without a vaccination went home Saturday after nearly 11 weeks in the hospital, officials said.

Army Medics Receive Intense Training

As the insurgents in Iraq step up their attacks, the Army has increased the intensity of its training of battlefield medics.

Painstaking collection of tsunami victims' DNA begins in Thailand

Forensic experts and medical staff have begun the painstaking task of collecting DNA samples from the victims of the tsunami disaster in Thailand, in the hopes of offering families proof of their loved ones' fates even if it takes months.

Mental health catastrophe looms after tsunami terror

Beyond the massive toll in human life, tsunamis which tore apart Indian Ocean coastlines are set to pose a global mental health catastrophe as thousands of people live haunted by the sudden, ferocious wall of water.

Communicable diseases begin to appear in wave-hit zone

The first outbreaks of communicable diseases are now being seen in areas hit by last Sunday's killer tidal waves in Asia, a senior World Health Organisation (WHO) official said.

Health situation 'decent' in tsunami lashed south India

A mass inoculation drive and adequate clean drinking water has so far prevented the outbreak of an epidemic in the district of India worst-hit by killer tsunamis, doctors said.

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