Here are some tips on how to prevent waterborne diseases. Please try and get this message across the disaster torn area. If you are a friend or family of a victim or a relief worker, please talk to them about this. They may or may not know. These tips help both the relief workers and the victims.
Water borne Illness is caused by viruses and bacteria, from inadequately treated drinking water. It’s one of the main sources. Water borne diseases could also spread through, clothes, hands, from things used for cooking/eating. They can also spread through open wounds, nose, eyes, but it’s rare. People are at a risk, from not only typhoid and cholera, but also skin diseases. In a situation like this, all contagious diseases are likely to spread faster.
In the aftermath of tsunami, the drinking water is contaminated. Drink water provided by the relief workers only. Boil water before drinking. The water tanks will be placed in affected villages to store treated water. Please do not drink/wash hands/wash clothes in the floodwater. Do not drink water from wells unless tested/treated. It could be contaminated by floodwater. CNN reported, that people were touching decomposing bodies with bare hands. Wash hands thoroughly after handling any flood-affected items.
Parents need to help children avoid water-borne illness. Children should not be allowed to play in floodwater areas, and parents should ensure that children's hands are washed frequently, especially before meals.
Do not Wash Wounds with floodwater. Do not use home remedies like turmeric powder/coffee powder for the open wounds. Make sure that there are no open wounds.
Personal hygiene should be promoted as the responsibility of the individual. Wash hands in soap and water immediately after going to the toilet and always before handling and/or eating food. Avoid the use of common or unclean eating utensils, toothbrushes, razors, drinking cups, towels, handkerchiefs, combs and hairbrushes. Avoid coughing and sneezing on others
Make sure that faeces is buried deeply, as it can contaminate water, cause odor, attract flies. Important of all, “use the waste disposal site identified in your area”. The same for the infant faeces. Disposing of organic and animal wastes properly to avoid flies. Dispose ashes, tin, old iron, rags, cardboard, animal wastes, kitchen waste, meat, discarded fruits to the sanitary landfill.
An unfortunate outcome of disasters, particularly those involving flooding, is the resultant death of animals both domestic and non-domestic. It is essential that the carcasses be disposed of quickly to prevent an outbreak of disease and fly infestation. The method of disposal selected is dependent on the type of carcasses. For low numbers of small animals such as chickens, cats, and dogs it would be acceptable to place them into the general waste stream. However for stock and larger native and feral animals it may be necessary to consider a special purpose disposal area, especially if the numbers of carcasses are high. Strict personal hygiene must be practiced in the handling of all dead animals. The wearing of appropriate boots, gloves, proper protective clothing and adequate person disinfection is essential.
Flooding may initially flush out or destroy mosquito breeding or harboring sites but can subsequently create additional habitats that may produce even greater mosquito numbers. Flooding can result in excessive breeding of mosquitoes, resulting in the possibility of diseases being carried by the insects. Swarms of mosquitoes may be seen in the affected regions several weeks after the storm. Mosquito eggs can lie dormant for years without water. Those eggs will now hatch increasing the potential for mosquito-borne disease until the first frost. State pest management officials will address this problem. Residents should remove excess water from flowerpots, tires, buckets and other containers to minimize the breeding of mosquitoes. I haven’t seen or heard about donation of mosquito nets or insect repellents. These are very important and should be collected and distributed by the aid workers, so as to prevent exposure to mosquitoes, ticks and other biting insects. Spray disinfectants and disinfect stagnant water with bleaching powder, which is easily available
Homes may have building materials containing asbestos, which has been associated with respiratory diseases. Building materials that may contain asbestos include flooring, siding, roofing, pipe insulation, fireproofing, or decorative ceiling treatments. If asbestos is suspected to be present in building materials, the materials should be carefully wetted to minimize dust production whenever they are being disturbed or moved from place to place.
All persons affected by the disaster need to be informed about and encouraged to practice personal hygiene to prevent the outbreak of disease.
Immunizations:Tetanus - A booster for tetanus should be given to anyone sustaining an injury (particularly lacerations and puncture wounds) that has not received a vaccination within the last 10 years, 5 years for particularly major or unclean wounds. Hepatitis A - Immune globulin is given only to those persons known to be in direct contact with a confirmed case of hepatitis A. Hepatitis A vaccines are not required.
Symptoms of Waterborne Diseases:Fever , Fatigue, Vomiting, Stomach cramps, Dehydration
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