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How Floods Can Amplify the Risk of Communicable Diseases?: The Silent Threat

How Floods Can Amplify the Risk of Communicable Diseases?: The Silent Threat

Hey there! Ever heard of the saying, "It's better to be safe than sorry"? Well, our recent visitor, Cyclone Michaung, gave us a little nudge to up our game in the preparedness department. Now, Chennai is no stranger to being a hotspot for investments, and we want to keep it that way – thriving and bustling! So, picture this: a city where life is safeguarded, and business opportunities keep flowing. How? Easy peasy – let's beef up our infrastructure, amp up those early warning systems, and get the whole community on board for a disaster-ready party. Time to plan smart, stay safe, and keep Chennai shining as the place to be for growth and investment!

How Hard is Cyclone Michaung in Chennai?

The impact of Cyclone Michaung on Chennai is undeniably severe. The extensive rainfall resulting in flooding, power outages, and disruption of essential services like telecommunications highlights the vulnerability of the city's infrastructure to such extreme weather events. The need for a strong disaster response plan is clear due to the loss of lives, evacuation challenges, and transportation disruptions.

Restoring critical services like power, communication, and transportation is crucial for the city to recover swiftly. Additionally, long-term measures must focus on reinforcing infrastructure resilience, improving drainage systems, and enhancing emergency response mechanisms to minimize the impact of future cyclones or similar natural disasters.

1. Cholera

Cholera is indeed a severe bacterial infection that can spread rapidly in flood-affected areas due to contaminated water and unsanitary conditions. Eating or drinking something with Vibrio cholera bacteria can make you sick with cholera. Its symptoms, particularly severe diarrhoea and vomiting, can cause rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, resulting in muscle cramps and, in severe cases, death, often within hours if left untreated.

2. Typhoid

This is another waterborne bacterial infection caused by Salmonella bacteria. Prolonged high fever, severe abdominal pain, headache and vomiting are common symptoms of this disease. Typhoid fever has a prolonged recovery period, often leaving the patient feeling extremely weak. Additionally, the typhoid bacteria can persist in the gallbladder even after the person has been treated and cured.

3. Diarrhoea

Diarrhoea can affect people of all ages, but it's especially risky for children because they are more prone to dehydration and imbalances in electrolytes. The symptoms, including dehydration, pale skin, bloody stool, reduced urination, dizziness, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness, emphasize the critical nature of this condition. Dehydration resulting from persistent diarrhoea is a major concern as it can quickly lead to life-threatening situations, especially in the absence of adequate medical care or rehydration therapy. Proper hygiene practices, access to clean drinking water, and sanitation facilities are essential preventive measures.

4. Respiratory illnesses 

Following the flood disasters, there is a prevalent occurrence of acute respiratory infections, including coughs, colds, influenza, and pneumonia. The disruption of housing and overcrowded conditions significantly increases the likelihood of transmitting the bacteria and viruses responsible for these diseases.

Preventive Measures

  1. Drink warm water regularly.
  2. Treat water with a chlorine tablet. 
  3. ORS, or Oral Rehydration Solution, is a valuable way to replenish fluids and electrolytes, especially during periods of dehydration.
  4. Wash your hands thoroughly before and after meals, and practice proper hygiene both inside and outside the house.
  5. Utilise mosquito nets to shield yourself from mosquitoes.
  6. Always cover food items to keep insects away.

Key Takeaway

  1. Flood disasters like Cyclone Michaung expose communities to severe health risks, including waterborne infections like cholera and typhoid fever, as well as respiratory illnesses and diarrheal diseases. 
  2. Proper hygiene practices, access to clean water, and sanitation facilities are crucial preventive measures. It's essential to fortify infrastructure, improve disaster response plans, and prioritize long-term solutions to enhance resilience against such natural disasters.
  3. Following preventive steps like drinking clean water, using chlorine tablets, maintaining hygiene, and seeking medical attention when needed can significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission in post-disaster scenarios.

For further guidance on right supplements for flood related communicable diseases, Book Your FREE CONSULTATION With Our Expert Dr! or WhatsApp us on +91 9500775666 to schedule your consultation right away!

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