Beware of flood-borne disease

By Dr. Christofora Dewi N

For hundreds of years, dealing with floods every year has become a part of the people’s life in Jakarta, and last Thursday has become the worst over the last 6 years.  The huge amount of flooding and standing water has made more than 20-thousand people homeless, and some were killed. It also leaves a wake of disease.

Flooding is associated with an increased risk of infection. Floods can be a potential source of many water-borne diseases. It can also increase the risk of vector- or carrier-borne diseases, such as malaria and dengue hemorrhagic fever. Outbreaks have been reported when massive floods occur.

  Water-borne disease

The major risk factor for outbreaks associated with flooding is the contamination of water facilities. Eating or drinking anything from contaminated flood water can cause diarrhea, typhoid fever and hepatitis A. Moreover direct contact with polluted waters can cause skin infections, wound infections, eyes infections, and ear, nose and throat infections.Post flood, usually there will be an outbreak of leptospirosis. Leptospirosis can be transmitted to both human and animals by direct contact with the urine of infected rats in contaminated water. The disease gets into the body through cuts and wounds as well as the eyes, nose and mouth. The symptoms including high fever, severe headache, muscle pain, chills, redness of the eyes, abdominal pain, jaundice, skin haemorrhages, vomiting, diarrhea and rash. Severe cases can be fatal if not treated immediately. 

The most important preventive measure to be implanted following flooding, in order to reduce the risk of outbreaks of water-borne diseases are by wearing rubber boots, gloves and mask when wading through contaminated flood waters, hand-washing after contact with flood waters, do not allow children to play in flood water areas, wash hands frequently (always before meals), ensure boiling or chlorination of water, and do not allow children to play with toys that have been contaminated by flood water and have not been disinfected. Moreover vaccinations of hepatitis A to high risk groups, such as persons involved in the management of drinking water, waste water or sewage might be considered. 

Vector-borne disease

Standing water caused by heavy rainfall or overflowing rivers can act as breeding sites for mosquitoes, and therefore enhance the potential for exposure to infections such as dengue, and malaria. The risk of outbreaks is greatly increased by changes in human behavior such as increased exposure to mosquitoes while sleeping outside, and overcrowding. 

Prevention from mosquito-borne disease starts by spraying your home with repellent and insecticides and fogging your home. If your neighbor is fogging make sure you follow suit as mosquitoes will move from your neighbor’s home to yours. Cover, empty and clean domestic water storage containers (such as toilets) to combat vector mosquitoes. 

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