The type of infection is still unknown. Suspicions of typhoid, salmonellosis and cholera. While awaiting test results, all patients have been isolated in quarantine HEALTH ALERT / Berat and Kuçovë: 2 dead and 90 in hospital ARMAND MERO BERAT — Berat and Kuçovë are under the heel of a deadly infection. A microbe that has so far not been identified — thought to have spread through the water-supply network because of its extensive contamination — has made people in these areas ill, causing 2 deaths and dozens of others to be admitted to hospital. According to the initial findings and the symptoms displayed by the patients, the “mysterious” microbe could be hiding typhoid, salmonellosis or even cholera. However, the final answer from the specialist laboratories is expected shortly, while some samples have also been sent abroad, to Italy and Turkey. While awaiting the test results, all the patients are now isolated in quarantine. The first signs of the epidemic spread of the infection appeared in the first days of September, when on the 3rd the first patients were admitted to the hospital: soldiers from the Pilot Regiment in Ura Vajgurore. Initially treated only as cases of food poisoning, the doctors’ concern was limited to treating them as ordinary and isolated cases. But only a few days later, the number of people showing the same diagnosis — vomiting and diarrhoea — increased alarmingly, reaching as many as 90 cases. The alarm bells finally rang yesterday, when the deaths of two people were confirmed on Friday: Y. Ballari, 39, a pilot, and S. Parangonit, 25, both from Ura-Vajgurore. The frightening spread of the infection, as well as the failure to identify the disease, has mobilised the highest levels of Albania’s health authorities. Several teams of specialist doctors from Tirana have gone to these areas to carry out the necessary investigations. At first, there were major concerns and suspicions of external factors. Identifying a possible source did not immediately lead to the discovery of the type of deadly microbe. Bacteriological tests have urgently begun in the country’s main laboratories. The suspicions raised by doctors, based solely on the patients’ clinical symptoms, are very worrying. “There are three diseases that may have spread,” explain infectious-disease specialists: “typhoid, salmonellosis and cholera.” These hypotheses are precisely what have led to all the patients being isolated in quarantine. In Berat, the military hospital is surrounded, and no one is allowed inside except specialist doctors. The same situation applies in Tirana, where on Friday and Saturday around 30 patients were transferred to the Infectious Diseases Ward. Special guards are watching over the ward’s two floors and are not allowing any direct contact with the patients, while the doctors themselves have also begun taking protective measures during their examinations. People who have had contact with the patients have also been placed in quarantine as a precaution. The health of most of them appears to have improved, while 3 people — as of Sunday evening — were still in serious condition and being treated in intensive care. The worsening situation brought Health Minister Maksim Cikuli onto the main Sunday news broadcast; he had gone in person to Tirana Military Hospital to see the situation. Speaking about the measures being taken by his institutions in this case, Cikuli also appealed to the public to ensure “a high level of daily hygiene and to boil drinking water before consuming it.” The age and sex of the patients had even been the reason they were treated as food-poisoning cases. “This is because the first people affected were adult men,” specialists from the Infectious Diseases Ward at the Central Military Hospital explained to Gazeta Shqiptare, “but the appearance in recent days of cases among women and children disproved this hypothesis.” Doctors currently believe that contamination of the drinking water supplying these areas was the cause. And indeed, in the water pipes ... drinking water supplying these areas. And indeed, contamination has been observed in the distribution network’s water-supply pipes. The suspicions voiced explain infectious-disease specialists: “typhoid, some kind of salmonellosis, and cholera.” Bacteriological tests are being carried out urgently. may have spread,” explain infectious-disease specialists: “typhoid, some kind of salmonellosis.” From the highest state authorities, Cikuli has again daily hygiene and to boil drinking water in areas affected by contamination.” A view of the city of Berat

The Englishman Hill, driving a «Williams», first in the Italian Grand Prix Sport In the photo, Italian Grand Prix winner Damon Hill in his Williams-Renault car

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HAS, REVENUES FROM FOREST EXPLOITATION FALL, WHILE DAMAGE TRIPLES — From the beginning of the year until now, revenues paid into the state budget from the exploitation of the forests of Has have been minimal. Only 25 percent of the plan has been achieved, with budget revenues recorded at 573 thousand lekë. Meanwhile, various people cutting wood without permits — against whom no measures have been taken — have caused damage amounting to 1,300,000 lekë. BERAT, A ... OF ITS TELEKOM — Thus, 29 institutions and budgetary entities owe Telekom a total of 1,000,206 lekë. The city municipality tops the list of debtors and must pay 550 thousand lekë. Telekom has taken measures to cut off the telephone signal, while state subscribers, for their part, are protesting that the bills have not been corrected by the billing department. This will lead to all these bills being audited. DURRËS, “KLANDESTON” TO BE ALLOWED TO SELL ITS NEW SEASON — It is the “Aleksandër Moisiu” Variety Troupe which, in the coming season, “Tirana” in the new season will bring back the good tradition of continuing to present its shows and programmes, as well as staging them in the halls of the capital.

AFGHANISTAN: BOMBINGS IN KABUL, CASUALTIES — Eleven people killed and 26 wounded. This is the toll from the bombings carried out by rival forces against Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul. According to Kabul radio, which blamed the bombings on the forces of Prime Minister Gulbuddin Hekmatyar and his ally, Uzbek General Rashid Dostam, around forty shells fell on the city’s residential neighbourhoods. The reports have not been confirmed by independent sources. TURKEY: ATTACK IN THE SOUTH, CASUALTIES — Two people have been killed and four others wounded in an attack against a café in Gaziantep (southern Turkey), near the border with Syria. The news was reported by the “Anadolu” agency. A bomb was thrown at the café around midnight, the press agency said, citing police, killing two people and wounding four others. It is not yet known who carried out the attack. USA: THE HEAD OF THE SECURITY TEAM WAS THE ONE WHO ROBBED “TIFANNY” — The head of the security team of the “Tifanny” store, the leader of last week’s robbery in New York, made off with around 2 million dollars. Police arrested him and recovered most of the stolen goods. For five days, Scott Jackson selected the members of the security team and the electronic alarms under his care for the famous, organised gang’s operation, and turned it into a scene, until one day he took advantage of their work to make a profit from the robbery.

They were going to a wedding LEZHË — A serious car accident has cast a black veil over the joy of a wedding. In the Fan area of Mirditë, a “ziz” vehicle plunged into a ravine, causing the deaths of 4 people and seriously injuring just as many others. All those involved in the accident — residents of the village of Fril in Lezhë — were going to a wedding in the village of Srënqën, Mirditë. And it was precisely in the Fan area, after passing a hump in the road, that the car slid into the ravine. The four dead — Ndue, Mark, Bardha and Drita — all belong to the Milloshil family. Among them, Drita Milloshi tried to shield her 2-year-old child with her body. She succeeded, but died herself. (I. R.)

KAVAJË — For some time now, the villages in the hills of the Kavajë district have been cut off from the light of the electric bulb. — For some time now, the villages in the hills of the Kavajë district have been cut off from the light of the electric bulb. Even on the few occasions when the electricity is not cut off, it is so weak that it is barely enough even for lighting. This situation has made many villagers hold back and stop buying household electrical appliances. But the lack of electricity has also become a serious problem for the health sector in these areas. There have been cases in which births in the maternity ward took place by candlelight, seriously endangering the lives of both mother and child. (Q. C)

An offer from a German man TIRANË — A German citizen has offered Albanians an unusual act of humanitarian assistance — a leg. In fact, it is a complete, “sophisticated” prosthesis for the right leg, as well as a pair of crutches. The prosthetic leg is flexible and made of a special metal — both light and strong — normally used for astronauts’ equipment. It was bought for 8,000 German marks and used by its owner’s mother. After her death, the prosthesis remained in the house as a keepsake. Information about the shortage of such equipment in Albania prompted the German citizen to offer to give the “leg” to an Albanian. But, to avoid any possible speculation — bearing in mind the considerable value of the prosthesis — the donor wants to meet personally the person who will use it. Those interested can contact him at this address: Rruga “Myslym Shyri,” Building 8, Staircase 2, Apartment 17.

“Seasonal work must be organized” TIRANË — The problem of illegal migration from Albania to Italy is still being discussed. During his visit to Albania, we asked Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Martino, to express his opinion on this phenomenon. We also asked him to explain whether a possible agreement on migration for seasonal work — mentioned so far but never implemented — could help in any way to solve the problem. Here is what he told Gazeta Shqiptare. “Italy has a very strong interest in developing relations with Albania, with which it has close historical, geographical, economic and cultural ties. The political and economic strengthening of Albania is an important element for the stability of the Balkan region. I am also convinced that Albania has an important role in the Mediterranean. My visit to Tirana will be a warm continuation of the meeting I had with Minister Sorreti on 10 June in Istanbul, during the proceedings of the Council of Ministers of the Community.” “I have been asked to express my opinion on the problem of illegal migration to Italy. Italy has always shown particular sensitivity to the social and human tragedy underlying illegal migration. This is a situation that must be examined carefully in terms of its causes and implications. Being undocumented means being practically unable to enter the labor market. The phenomenon of immigration concerns all of Europe and the Mediterranean region. I believe that conditions must be created by intensifying international cooperation among countries within the European framework, in order to prevent an exodus of people who cannot find work and who may become a burden on the countries to which they go. From this perspective, international agreements are necessary, both at the bilateral and multilateral levels.” “There are also opportunities for seasonal work abroad. Italy, which has traditionally been a country of emigration, knows very well the positive aspects of seasonal work. This is an economic and social situation associated with the phenomenon of semi-clandestine migration. It is a phenomenon that deserves particular attention so that supply can be aligned with actual need. We must therefore work to identify clandestine migration in order to assess the actual needs of the market and regulate migration flows, including in cooperation with countries of origin.”

INSIDE A return to tradition; activities come to life Projects for folk culture ON PAGE 2 Albanian literature under discussion Marubi also on display ON PAGE 2 Pictured: Italian Grand Prix winner Damion Hill in his Williams-Renault car

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