In Canada, while forest fires have forced residents to leave the cities, an epidemic of gastroenteritis is affecting disaster reception centers.
In the Canadian region of Mc Murray, as the fire progresses and devastates thousands of hectares, an epidemic of gastroenteritis affects one of the main reception centers. More than 500 of the 100,000 victims accommodated in several centers in the province of the city have been infected by the virus. The news was announced at a press conference by Chris Sikora, one of the province’s health officials.
Reinforced hygiene measures
75 people from the main reception center in Alberta’s capital, Edmonton, are also affected. Faced with the high risk of the epidemic worsening, sick people were isolated. In rooms provided for this purpose, they were taken care of by nurses. About twenty dehydrated patients were hospitalized. Other hygienic and dietary measures have been taken: victims are invited to wash their hands regularly and to drink a sufficient quantity of water.
The fire is still progressing
Forest fires have affected the Fort Mc Murray region in western Canada since the beginning of May. Tuesday again, the fire progressed, freezing all oil activity. “The fires continued their infernal advance and burned 10% more forests in just 24 hours,” AFP explains.
Several towns in the region have been emptied of their inhabitants, all housed in reception centers. Nearly 1,550 firefighters have been mobilized and are fighting to extinguish the flames. The fire initially broke out in an uninhabited area of a few hectares at the beginning of the month. According to Canadian authorities, the fire ravaged more than 204,000 hectares and destroyed nearly 2,400 buildings.
The origin of the fire has not yet been identified, it could be of criminal origin.
.
