Flood-related diseases

Floods in Malaysia are regular natural disasters in Malaysia which happen nearly every year during the monsoon season.Most flood that occurs are a natural result of cyclical monsoons during the local tropical wet season that are characterized by heavy and regular rainfall from roughly October to March.Inadequate drainage in many urban areas also enhance the effect of heavy rain.Floods in Southern Johor was believed due to recent Global Warming effect.

However, the public health impact of floods also includes damage or destruction to homes and displacement of the occupants that may, in turn, facilitate the spread of some infectious diseases because of crowded living conditions and compromised personal hygiene. Stress-related mental health or substance-abuse problems may be associated with flood disasters. The occurrence of injuries may increase during the clean-up phase of a disaster.

The multiple environmental consequences of flooding can directly affect the public's health. For example, water sources can become contaminated with fecal material or toxic chemicals, water or sewer systems can be disrupted, dangerous substances can be released (e.g., propane from damaged storage tanks), and solid-waste collection and disposal can be disrupted. In addition, flooding can result in vector-associated problems, including increases in mosquito populations that, under certain circumstances, increase the risk for some mosquitoborne infectious diseases (e.g., viral encephalitis)
Floods and other natural disasters often are followed by rumors of epidemics (e.g., typhoid, cholera, or rabies) or unusual conditions such as increased snake or dog bites.

Leptospirosis was part of the expected clinical conditions associated with flooding. Leptospirosis has a wide range of symptoms that can mimic other diseases. Symptoms of leptospirosis include high fever, severe headache, chills, muscle aches, and vomiting, and may include jaundice (yellow skin and eyes), red eyes, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or a rash. If the disease is not treated, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the patient could develop kidney damage, meningitis (inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord), liver failure, or respiratory distress. In rare cases death occurs.

Leptospirosis has been suspected as the cause of death.Treatment doxycycline prophylactic programme began that day. It included providing a single treatment with 200 mg doxycycline to all persons above eight years old, excepting pregnant women.

Planning for floods enables communities to respond effectively to possible threats to health.
Purification of drinking and cooking water.
Disinfection of wells.
Food safety (i.e., handling of food that may have come in contact with flood water or of refrigerated food after the interruption of electrical power.
Sanitation and personal hygiene.
Injury-prevention measures to be taken during the return to and cleaning up of flooded homes.
Communicable diseases and vaccinations.
Mosquito control.
Other hazards such as animals, chemicals, and swift-flowing water.

Most of the flood-related illnesses and injuries were not critical and education about injury prevention such as wearing of shoes and clothes in the submerged area might lower the incidence of accidents. Even simple lacerated wounds should be irrigated and debrided thoroughly and left for delayed closure with tetanus immunization. Although of low incidence, psychological health support also is needed.

Yatim
G74480