[Daily NK] While the North Korean authorities step up efforts to ward off MERS, residents, distrustful of the state’s policies and ability to block the disease, are resorting to folk remedies to stay healthy, Daily NK has learned.  



“These days, citizens are applying various preventative measures in order to deal with MERS, rampant in South Chosun [South Korea],” a source from South Hamkyung Province told Daily NK on the 28th. “Squid was effective in treating paratyphoid, which wreaked havoc on North Korea a decade ago, and there are many who are seeking out the cephalopods again.”



When paratyphoid swept over the country in the past, eating boiled squid from the East Sea became known among residents as a miracle cure, reportedly putting patients on the fast track to recovery and helping them regain their appetite; these results fed the notion of squid as a panacea among the population, according to the source.



“The citizens think that squid will be just as effective to treat MERS because the state cited fever as one of the affliction’s main symptoms-- just like paratyphoid,” she explained.



Paratyphoid is an acute infectious disease caused by bacteria known as Salmonella enterica. It affects the digestive system and is similar to typhoid in that it riddles those afflicted with infection and inflammation of the stomach. After a latent period, it can present symptoms ranging from fever and rash to headaches and diarrhea.



She conceded that while there is absolutely no “scientific evidence pointing to how a salty, boiled soup of squid is effective in curing infectious diseases that entail high fever, vomiting, and diarrhea,” she herself cannot deny its salubrious effects; by partaking in this squid broth, she overcame similar symptoms within two to three days been cured of the same ailments within two or three days in the past. She also attested to having seen the same effects in others.  



This reporter has also benefited from the effects of this remedy for something similar during his time in North Korea.



These beliefs render state lectures on hygiene and food sanitation of little comfort to the population; most have long lost faith in the state’s crumbling medical system and are fully prepared to devise their own methods to cope with medical threats.  



“Citizens in this place cannot get provisions of treatment drugs even when various infectious diseases spread. So they actively use these folk remedies rather than listening to the authorities," she explained, adding that the East Sea is replete with squid, bringing relief to many who feel equipped to combat a potential infiltration of MERS.



The protracted nature of these views, she added, is yet another situation that can be ascribed to a solid foundation of social distrust regarding anything the Ministry of Health says or does--even if the advice is sound.



“There has not been a problem so far, but the possibility for infectious diseases to spread rapidly always remains since folk remedies are far from scientifically verified [for prevention and treatment],” she pointed out.



*The content of this article was broadcast to the North Korean people via Unification Media Group.