Nghe An: Proactive environmental sanitation and disease prevention after Typhoon No. 10
Due to the impact of Typhoon No. 10 in Nghe An province, many localities have experienced severe flooding. This has affected drinking water sources, the environment, and the risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases.
No outbreaks have occurred yet.
To proactively prevent and control disease outbreaks following Typhoon No. 10, the Nghe An Department of Health issued Official Letter No. 4266/SYT-NVY "on ensuring healthcare after Typhoon No. 10 and floods" to healthcare facilities in the province. The Department of Health requested that healthcare facilities closely monitor and implement disease response measures during typhoons, floods, and landslides; promptly detect and handle infectious diseases at risk of outbreaks; isolate and manage disease outbreaks; and effectively coordinate with relevant units in protecting the health and lives of the people.
.jpg)
To support healthcare facilities in effectively carrying out environmental sanitation and infectious disease prevention after Typhoon No. 10, the Nghe An Department of Health established two working groups to visit flood-affected areas. The first working group, led by a Deputy Director of the Department of Health, provided support to the Nghia Dan, Thai Hoa, Quy Hop, and Quy Chau Health Centers. The second working group, led by the Director of the Provincial Center for Disease Control, provided support to the Nam Dan, Thanh Chuong, Tan Ky, and Do Luong Health Centers.
Two working groups visited health centers, health stations, and households to inspect the situation, provide guidance on treating drinking water, environmental sanitation, and preventing and controlling infectious diseases. At the same time, the two groups also distributed additional Chloramine B and Aquatabs to severely flooded areas for water treatment.
During their monitoring duties, the two working groups also noted that the health centers and commune health stations had been very proactive in prevention and control activities during and after the flood season; they proactively received supplies and chemicals and distributed them to affected people in a timely manner; they promptly advised local authorities, guided and worked with the people to clean the environment, treat drinking water sources, and closely monitor the disease situation during the rainy season and floods.
Dr. Chu Trong Trang, Director of the Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention and Head of Task Force No. 2 of the Department of Health, stated: Currently, the situation of infectious diseases in the flood-affected areas is stable, with no outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea or typhoid recorded. Environmental sanitation is being actively implemented by local authorities. The supply of clean water for residents is well-maintained.
We must absolutely not be complacent.
Following the floods, Nghe An province has not experienced any outbreaks of infectious diseases. However, this does not mean that local authorities, health units, and the public can afford to be complacent. Dr. Chu Trong Trang stated: Localized flooding in many areas will create favorable conditions for diseases transmitted by vectors such as flies, mosquitoes, and mosquito larvae to thrive. Among these, mosquitoes are the most common vectors for malaria and dengue fever.
Flooding also causes a shortage of clean drinking water, affecting people's living environment. Contaminated water sources due to rain and floods, and polluted living environments increase the risk of outbreaks of various diseases such as: gastrointestinal diseases (diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, etc.); skin diseases (athlete's foot, dermatitis, folliculitis, etc.); and eye diseases (conjunctivitis, trachoma).
To effectively prevent and control disease outbreaks, all levels of government, localities, and health units need to intensify information dissemination to all citizens about risk factors. Preventive and treatment healthcare needs to be closely coordinated to promptly detect and diagnose infectious diseases causing outbreaks in flood-affected areas. In addition, measures should be implemented to strengthen food safety inspections, closely monitor food poisoning incidents, and encourage people to practice good food safety and hygiene, including cooking food thoroughly and boiling water before drinking.
For households with flooded wells that need water purification, alum can be used at a dosage of 1 gram of alum (a piece about half the size of a fingertip) for every 20 liters of water. Scoop a ladleful of water, dissolve the corresponding amount of alum in it until completely dissolved, then pour it into a jar, pot, tray, or container and stir well. Wait about 30 minutes for the sediment to settle to the bottom, then carefully pour off the clear water. If alum is unavailable, use a clean cloth to filter the water, retaining the sediment. Repeat this process several times until the water is clear.
After treatment, the water needs to be disinfected with chemicals, specifically using Chloramine B or Aquatabs desalination. One 0.25g Chloramine B tablet can disinfect 25 liters of water, and one 0.67g Aquatabs tablet can disinfect 20 liters of clear water.
-7668202a173abd31eb2fa8764e69540c.jpg)
To prevent and control post-storm diseases, people also need to pay attention to the disposal of waste and garbage. Environmental sanitation should follow the principle of cleaning houses and mobilizing the community to clean up the environment as the floodwaters recede; clearing drains, filling stagnant water puddles, burying dead animals, and disinfecting; washing hands with soap and clean water before eating and after using the toilet... When illness is detected, do not self-treat at home but go immediately to medical facilities for examination and timely treatment to prevent the disease from spreading to the community.
