" The Cholera epidemic in PNG has moved to Australia’s doorstep with about 300 cases diagnosed in Torres Strait Treaty villages in PNG, virtually on the border in the Torres Strait.
Meanwhile Queensland and Federal health authorities have moved to implement contingency plans should Cholera enter Northern Australia.
The Torres News has been told contingency plans include:
- Treatment tents have been secured from sources as far south as Townsville;
- Defence facilities on Thursday Island and the detention centre on Horn Island are being placed on stand-by;
- Additional morgue facilities are being provided; and
- PNG residents are being discouraged from travelling to events, such as Tombstone Openings.
There have been about 650 cases of Cholera in Daru as well as the 300 plus cases in the Treaty Villages.The Horn Island detention centre is being regarded as a likely centre to house any PNG nationals diagnosed with Cholera who present themselves at Queensland Health clinics.In other news, about 300 people have been refused entry following the closure of the border between PNG and Australia, with none admitted, following the outbreak of cholera on Daru which is now believed to have claimed the lives of more than 120 people.
It is now understood the border between PNG and Australia might not be re-opened until the New Year."
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