Floods and the aftermath
The heavy downpour on Tuesday brought Mumbai city to a standstill. It caused water logging in several parts of the city and left people stranded due to limited transport availability. For many the day was spent treading across waterlogged areas while some chose to stay back at their work place. Power cuts, flooded roads and un-operational railway services brought the city to a halt. The worst is over, however the after effect will still continue for a few days. Let us look at some of the health precautions to be taken.
Flooding and accumulation of water brings along with it various health issues and diseases. Bacterial infections and viruses spread easily. Children and elderly people are most vulnerable and need special care.
Some precautions post the heavy downpour:
- Have you walked in the flood waters, do consult a physician for any medical precautions to be taken.
- The stagnant water from gutters mixed with flood waters may carry leptospirosis bacterium, putting you at a high risk of contracting the disease. In case of any fever get yourself tested.
- Water-borne and person-to-person infections can easily spread after a disaster. Dink only boiled water and maintain personal hygiene.
- Gastrointestinal infections are common following floods, take care of your food intake.
- Completely avoid street food, consumption of contaminated food can cause diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain and fever, food poisoning.
- Mosquito-borne diseases increase during the rains. Uncollected garbage and filth across the city plays a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
- Mosquitoes can lead to harmful diseases like Chikungunya, Malaria or even Dengue.
- In order to stay safe from these diseases, make sure that there is no stagnant water in your area. Empty the dustbin daily and keep the area clean.
- Use mosquito net and repellents to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes.
- If you have a runny nose, sore throat, cough or fever, take the required medication and preventive measures so that the infection does not spread.
- Rains also cause fungal skin infections due to dampness in the air. The skin infection can cause severe itching, discolouration and flaking of the skin of the particular area.
When it comes to maintaining good health, small precautions can go a long way. In case of any complications, please feel free to contact the doctors at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital:
https://www.kokilabenhospital.com/patients/makeanappointment.html
