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Tribals at greatest risk from swine flu, says report |
A report launched today by human
rights group Survival International shows that tribal peoples across the world
are at greatest risk from swine flu, as many have poor immunity and suffer chronic
underlying illnesses. The report, swine flu and tribal peoples, shows that indigenous
peoples in Australia and Canada have been hard hit by the swine flu pandemic,
as the majority live in poverty, suffering overcrowding and poor sanitation, and
have high rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity
and alcoholism. The report comes just days after supplies of body bags were delivered
to First Nations communities in Manitoba, Canada, along with hand sanitizers and
face masks. First Nations communities in the province have seen infection rates
of 130 per 100,000 compared with just 24 per 100,000 among the general population.
However, although many households do not have access to clean water, the Canadian
government delayed sending hand sanitizers to reserve communities, where alcoholism
is rife, for fear that people would attempt to ingest the alcohol in them. Grand
Chief David Harper told CBC, 'I make a plea to the people of Canada to work with
us to ensure the lowest fatalities from this monster virus. Don't send us body
bags. Help us organize; send us medicine.' Armand MacKenzie of the Innu Nation
of eastern Canada, said today, 'In Canada, I hope that the words "highest attainable
standards of health" mean more than sending body bags to Indigenous First Nations
communities. We need a real pandemic plan in partnership with Indigenous First
Nations. Not body bags!' The report also raises concern for isolated tribes who
have no immunity to outside diseases and for whom even the common cold can prove
fatal. Members of the Matsigenka tribe in the Peruvian Amazon have already been
struck by swine flu, leading to fears for the health of neighbouring uncontacted
tribes. Any contact with outsiders carrying the virus could devastate entire communities.
Stephen Corry, Director of Survival, said today, 'That tribal peoples are worst
affected by swine flu comes as no surprise. Years of colonialism and forced assimilation
policies have left them in destitution with chronic health problems. This report
makes for sober reading but it should also serve as a wake up call to those governments
that have ignored the health needs of their most vulnerable populations for too
long.' |
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