Flood and infection: prevention tips

• Increase in infectious diseases can be seen during and after floods. In particular, contaminated flood water with garbage, sewage, feces or urine of rodents or dead rodents increases the risk of infection.
• Depending on the type of microorganism / infection; microorganisms can enter the body through the skin, mouth or eye.
• The common infections are leptospirosis, hepatitis A, cholera, intestinal infections, typhoid fever, skin infections and conjunctivitis.

Prevention

• Where possible, contact with floodwater should be avoided.
• Children should be kept away from puddle.
• People, who are to work in floodwater, must use waterproof protective clothing, aprons, long boots, gloves and so on.
• After contact with floodwater, the body should be cleaned from floodwater; hands and places of contact should be washed thoroughly with soap and water.
• Those who are open wounded should avoid contact with floodwaters. The wounds could be covered with waterproof tape. If the wound is contacted with floodwater, the wound should be cleaned immediately.
• Fresh vegetables, fruits and food that come into contact with flood waters should not be consumed.
• For drinking and washing, absolutely clean water should be used.
• Bottled water should be preferred as drinking and usage water.
• Chlorine tablets sold in pharmacies can be used to clean drinking water. The amount of usage differs according to the tablet type. The chlorine-treated water should be mixed thoroughly and allowed to stand for 30 minutes.
•  If chlorine tablets are not available, boiling the water (10 minutes) will kill microorganisms
• Water of unknown origin should not be used for toothbrushing, dishwashing.
• Children's toys and other materials that come into contact with flood water can be cleaned by adding bleach. For this purpose, cleaning water can be prepared by mixing nine parts water with one part bleach.  This water can only be used for cleaning purposes.
• The chlorine level should be checked in the water tanks.
• During the floods, the vaccination program for children and pregnants should be continued without interruption.
• After the flood vector (rodents, mosquito, etc.) control program must be implemented.
• People with complaints of fever, diarrhea should definitely refer to a health facility.