Laos acts to prevent disease outbreak among flood victims

VIENTIANE - Health authorities in Laos have started to provide vaccines against diseases such as typhoid, cholera and tetanus to flood victims to prevent a possible outbreak of communicable disease in Sanamxay district in the southern Attapeu province.

Almost 3,000 cases of illness from dysentery, pneumonia, athlete's foot and respiratory problems have been reported since a dam collapsed on July 23, The Vientiane Times reported on Wednesday.

More than 100 health staff from Laos, Vietnam, China, Thailand and South Korea are now working together to provide medical assistance and vaccinations at 13 locations where the displaced are being housed.