THAILAND – Thai Defence Minister Phumthum Wechayachai has ordered to shut down the Thai-Myanmar border for one month following a serious diarrhoea outbreak in the gambling city of Shwekokko in Myawaddy that resulted in deaths.
Mr. Phumthum Wechayachai reportedly ordered to close the border to prevent the disease from spreading into Tak Province that is bordering Myanmar starting December 23 and it is said that the officials and police forces in Maesot as well as employees from Maesot Hospital have been carrying out health care education sessions on diarrhoea at the border villages of Tak District.
The current diarrhoea outbreak in Shwekokko, Karen State has killed at least two people and it is said that hundreds of people have contracted the disease.
“There have been deaths from the diarrhoea. Two have died so far. Now, all the stalls and roadside food stalls have been ordered to close. People are restricted from entering or leaving Shwekokko. It is said that around 400 have contracted the disease,” said a resident of Myawaddy.
Meanwhile, neither the junta council nor the Border Guard Force (BGF) that has control of Myawaddy Township has made any announcement regarding the outbreak in the township.
