DUSHANBE, July 20, Asia-Plus — 519 cases of dysentery have been officially registered in Tajikistan over the past six months, which is 96 cases more compared to the same period of 2005, Minister of Health Nusratullo Fayzulloyev announced at news conference in Dushanbe on July 19.
The minister named low-quality of drinking water, frequent interruptions in electricity supplies and untimely removal of accidents on the water supply systems as well as low sanitation awareness among the population as main factors contributing to increase in number of cases of infectious diseases in the country.
According to him, epidemiological analysis of infectious diseases has shown that compared to the same period of 2005 a number of cases of typhoid has reduced 1.32 times (from 489 cases in 2005 to 368 cases this year), and a number of cases of hepatitis “C” has reduced 1.3 times. A number of cases of malaria has also reduced from 410 in January-June 2005 to 221 in January-June 2006.
At the same time, the minister noted that increasing cases of stray dogs’ attacking people evoked serious concern. According to official statistics, 7,300 cases of dog bite have been reported in the country since the beginning of this year, which is 400 cases more than in January-June 2005.
Over the same six-month period, maternal mortality has been rated at 50.2 per 100,000, while in January-June 2005 this rate had amounted to 40.5 per 100.000, according to the minister. He noted that that the increase has resulted from the more thorough monitoring work carried out by the ministry in the provinces, and enhancement of registration of maternal and infant mortalities.
