"According to the data, as of Friday night, the most common illness found is ARI, with as many as 334 cases," head of disease prevention and control at the West Pasaman Health Office, Dr. Gina Alecia, informed here on Saturday.
ARI is caused by an infection in the respiratory tract, and is characterized by symptoms such as cough, runny nose, and fever, she said.
Among the factors behind the condition have been changes in weather due to rainfall in the area, she added. Further, many residents are staying in evacuation shelters, she continued.
ARI cases have been detected in all age groups, from children to adults, Alecia disclosed.
Besides ARI, other ailments detected in quake victims include febris (97 cases), hypertension (64 cases), dyspepsia (62 cases), cephalalgia (60 cases), common cold (39 cases), bronchitis (33 cases), myalgia (30 cases), GEA or gastrointestinal infection (20 cases), and dermatitis (19 cases).
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The medical team has been providing medicines and vitamins to the affected residents to boost their endurance, she said.
She informed that the Health Office has set up health posts to provide services to residents.
According to Alecia, patients whose condition worsens will be referred to the Ibnu Sina Islamic Hospital in Simpang Empat and the West Pasaman Public Hospital.
West Pasaman was hit by a 6.1-magnitude earthquake on February 25, 2022, which affected three sub-districts: Talamau, Pasaman, and Kinali.
As of Friday, March 4, 2022, over 4,800 houses were reported to be damaged by the earthquake. Consequently, over 11 thousand residents were evacuated.
Apart from the residents' houses, the earthquake also damaged 55 educational facilities, 13 health facilities, and 40 places of worship.
The number of fatalities recorded as of Friday night reached 9. Meanwhile, 45 residents were seriously injured and 336 suffered minor injuries due to the quake.
Related news: Six thousand residents evacuate after earthquake in West Pasaman: BNPB
Translator: Laila Syafrud, Raka Adji
Editor: Suharto
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