BANGKOK, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The Thai Ministry of Public Health said on Monday that it is on high alert for a possible outbreak of communicable diseases in drought-hit areas where resident have difficult access to clean water.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Health Anutin Charnvirakul told the media in Bangkok that he has instructed state officials in the drought-hit regions in the north to promote the practice of eating only cooked food, using serving spoons and washing hands.
"In drought-hit areas where people have rare access to clean water, communicable diseases are prevalent," said Anutin, adding that "villagers must seek medical assistance if they find they experience gastrointestinal tract, such as diarrhea and food poisoning."
The Department of Disease Control (DDC) director-general Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai told the media on Monday that DDC has instructed 12 disease prevention and control centers nationwide to be on high alert on suspicions of communicable diseases.
Persons with diarrhea should frequently sip water with Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) to prevent dehydration, Suwannachai said.
The Meteorological Department said earlier this month that Thailand is going to experience the worst drought in a decade, as average precipitation across large swaths of the country has fallen far short of the monthly average.
The drought is expected to affect 105 districts across 12 provinces.
