Image Credit: World Science Festival
- Please have adequate health insurance covered as vector-borne diseases that are likely to emerge include dengue and malaria and stay protected from aftermath disaster and damage
- Eating or drinking anything contaminated by flood water can cause diarrheal disease. Practice good hygiene (handwashing), do not allow children to play with toys that have been contaminated by flood water and have not been disinfected
- Get appropriate vaccination done & prevent yourself from common outbreaks due to floods infectious diseases like viral gastro enteritis ,Cholera, Flu, Typhoid, Hepatitis A and B and Japanese Encephalitis, leptospirosis among others
- If there is a water shortage, rainwater could be harvested by placing containers on your terrace, which could be boiled and filtered for use
- If you have access to medicines, stock up on Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) packets to prevent diarrhoea and antiemetic drugs to prevent vomiting
- Do not stand in stagnant water. With sewage water getting mixed with all water sources, standing in these stagnant pools can lead to leptospirosis
- If your food stock is running low at home, take a litre of boiled water and add 5-6 spoons of sugar and 1 spoon of salt. Drinking this at regular intervals will help in keeping the hydration levels high
- If you receive a puncture wound or a wound contaminated with feces, soil, or saliva, have a doctor or health department determine whether a tetanus booster is necessary based on individual records
- Seek immediate medical attention if you become injured or ill
- Use extreme caution when returning to your area after a flood. Be aware of potential chemical hazards you may encounter during flood recovery. Flood waters may have buried or moved hazardous chemical containers of solvents or other industrial chemicals from their normal storage places
- All electrical equipment and appliances must be completely dry before turning them on
- Electrical power and natural gas or propane tanks should be shut off to avoid fire, electrocution, or explosions
- If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open all windows, and leave the house immediately
- Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns, or torches
- Car batteries, even those in flood water, may still contain an electrical charge and should be removed with extreme caution by using insulated gloves. Avoid coming in contact with any acid that may have spilled from a damaged car battery
- Walls, hard-surfaced floors, and many other household surfaces should be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a solution of 1 cup of bleach to five gallons of water
- If there has been a backflow of sewage into the house, wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves during cleanup. Remove and discard contaminated household materials that cannot be disinfected
- Be particularly careful to thoroughly disinfect surfaces that may come in contact with food, such as counter tops, pantry shelves, refrigerators, etc
- After completing the cleanup, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Use water that has been boiled for 1 minute (allow the water to cool before washing your hands)
- Drainage of the water and establishment of safe water and food services is key
- You should not remain marooned, but staying too long in relief camps puts them at risk for other problems
- Safe water can be achieved by boiling water for a full minute
- If there is visible contamination, bleach (1/4 to 1/8 teaspoon to a gallon or 16 cups of water) can be useful
- Food safety is key, and the role of food handlers in the propagation of diseases is often forgotten
- Mosquito prevention measures are useful, but these need to be used through the day
- Don’t medicate unnecessarily- abuse of medications, especially antibiotics, is a problem. Most patients do not need any.
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