Preventing and controlling diseases after floods.

Clean up as the water recedes.

Due to the influence of the circulation of typhoon No. 4, in the areaNghe AnFrom September 17th to 23rd, there will be heavy rain, with very heavy rain in some areas.Heavy rainThis caused widespread flooding, resulting in 3 deaths, 1 missing person, and 1 injured person; causinglandslide...causing traffic congestion on many roads and damaging many houses... At this time, the rain and floods have temporarily stopped, but the risk of post-flood disease outbreaks remains.

In Con Cuong district, the total rainfall measured was 457mm. According to the District Health Center: Flooding caused localized flooding in several communes such as Mon Son, Luc Da, Thach Ngan, Mau Duc, and Con Cuong town... Floodwaters submerged 25 houses and infiltrated the wells of more than 40 households, with the most affected areas being Yen Khe commune.

To prevent potential outbreaks of disease after floods, the Con Cuong Health Center has been directing health stations to intensify public awareness campaigns; advising local Party committees and authorities to carry out comprehensive environmental sanitation, clear canals and drainage ditches, and treat water wells.

Dr. Vi Thi Huong, Director of the Con Cuong District Health Center, said: The center has fully allocated chemicals to the affected area; carried out disinfection spraying according to the principle of cleaning as soon as the water recedes. Medical staff have been sent to guide people on how to treat water sources by rinsing with alum and disinfecting with chloramine B; and to monitor the risk of disease outbreaks, especially dengue fever.

In Anh Son district, heavy rains and floods are also creating risks of disease outbreaks. Dinh Son commune has long been a dengue fever hotspot. The floods provide favorable conditions for the Aedes mosquito – the vector that transmits the disease – to breed and multiply. The Center has issued a document requesting all communes to direct all departments, organizations, and households to clean up the environment, eliminate mosquito larvae, overturn water-holding waste, especially water-containing plant pots, and educate people to use mosquito nets even during the day.

Dr. Dao Van Binh, Deputy Director of Anh Son District Health Center, said: The district health center is coordinating with the Nghe An Center for Disease Control and Prevention to monitor mosquito larvae after the storms and floods in order to take further measures; and continues to direct and guide health stations to implement disease prevention and control activities and ensure food safety during and after the rain and floods.

In Hung Nguyen district, heavy rains caused flooding in two hamlets of Chau Nhan commune, two hamlets of Hung Loi commune, and one hamlet outside the dike in Xuan Lam commune. After the water receded, residents in these hamlets proactively implemented environmental sanitation and disease prevention measures according to the guidance of health authorities. Local authorities in the district actively directed and guided people to clear bushes, collect waste, spray pesticides, drain stagnant ponds, and especially clean livestock pens for buffaloes, cows, pigs, and chickens.

Dr. Ho Thanh Lam, Deputy Director of Hung Nguyen District Health Center, shared: "To proactively prevent and control diseases caused by floods and heavy rains, Hung Nguyen district has had a specific plan in place since the beginning of the year. We have adhered to the 'four on-the-spot' principle, ensuring an adequate supply of medicines for disease prevention and control at health stations. Information on diseases common during the rainy season, such as conjunctivitis, influenza, and skin infections, has been disseminated beforehand. Currently, disease prevention, control, and surveillance activities are being carried out closely."

Do not underestimate the risk of disease outbreaks.

Following the floods, Nghe An has not experienced any outbreaks of disease. However, this does not mean that all levels of government, especially healthcare units at the grassroots and district levels, can afford to be complacent.

Dr. Chu Trong Trang, Director of the Nghe An Provincial Center for Disease Control, stated: Localized flooding in many areas will create favorable conditions for the proliferation of vector-borne diseases such as flies, mosquitoes, and mosquito larvae. Among these, mosquitoes are the most common vectors causing malaria and dengue fever.

Flooding also leads to a shortage of clean drinking water, affecting people's living environment. Water contamination from rain and floods, along with environmental pollution, increases 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 epidemics, all levels and sectors, local authorities, especially provincial and district-level health units, need to strengthen information dissemination to all citizens about risk factors. District health centers need to prepare the necessary personnel, equipment, supplies, and chemicals to respond promptly to epidemic situations according to the "four on-the-spot" and "three ready" principles (proactive prevention; timely response; and prompt remediation).

Disease prevention and control must be given top priority. Preventive and curative healthcare efforts must be closely coordinated to ensure timely detection and diagnosis of infectious diseases causing outbreaks in flood-affected areas. Measures should be taken to strengthen food safety and hygiene inspections, closely monitor food poisoning incidents, and encourage the public to practice safe food preparation (eating cooked food and drinking boiled water).

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For households with flooded wells that need clarification, alum should be used at a dosage of 1g 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 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 clarification, disinfection with chemicals is necessary, specifically using Chloramine B or Aquatabs. One 0.25g Chloramine B tablet can disinfect 25 liters of water, and one 0.67g Aquatabs tablet can disinfect 20 liters of water.

Dr. Chu Trong Trang

Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Nghe An Province

To prevent disease outbreaks, people need to pay attention to the proper disposal of feces and garbage. Environmental sanitation should follow the principle of cleaning houses and mobilizing the community to clean up the environment as floodwaters recede; clearing drains, filling stagnant water puddles, burying dead animals, and disinfecting... 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.