Public health during floods

The risks and severity of flooding depend on several predisposing factors. For example, the type of flood is important in evaluating the damage. So too are the geography, size and density of affected populations, as well as the level of education, awareness and preparedness of the community. Obviously, the ability to escape from flood it will be very important.

Certain segments of the population are at higher risk of health problems from flooding, including the elderly, children, people with disabilities, and people with illnesses. Finally, the construction standards and the design of the infrastructure in the locality, as well as the presence of a functional and sustainable disaster management system will also determine the impact and damage.

health effects

In the short term, drowning, trauma, hypothermia and heat stroke – depending on the temperature of the place – will be problems that can occur. A flood after several days of rain is not the same as after a hurricane: the frequency of drowning will be different.

In a domino effect, once the floodthe drinking water supply and sewerage systems (if they existed before the flood) will be affected, which it will bring hygiene problems with drinks and food.

Such a situation will cause enormous risk of gastrointestinal infections caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites, including hepatitis A, shigellosis, typhoid fever, norovirus, rotavirus, cryptosporidiosis, and giardiasis.

“Living in houses affected by flooding causes lung and systemic infections by fungi such as Aspergillus.”

Once these infectious diseases are produced, the populations will seek medical attention in health centers and hospitals that will not be able to treat the cases due to the damage suffered in the floods. In this regard, part of Cayetano Heredia Hospital (Piura) and health centers (Lambayeque), have been completely flooded, calculating that since the rains began in September 2022, 60 health establishments have been severely affected in the country.

Accumulation of water increases the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Dengue, malaria, Zika and chikungunya are some of the problems that escalate rapidly in the days and weeks after the floods.

At the same time, the accumulation of garbage in the flooded streets, much of which already existed before the flood, will rot. This will cause rats to be infected with leptospira, the bacterium that causes leptospirosis, a disease that causes liver and kidney damage and can be fatal.

And if local governments or authorities assemble the victims in evacuation centers, things can be complicated by overcrowded conditions. Portable toilets, which are often installed without supervision or maintenance, constitute sources of infection.

In addition to severe property damage (caused by population displacement and overcrowding), living in houses affected by flooding generates pulmonary and systemic infections by fungi such as Aspergillus, present in the air and in dust.

On the social front, floods can lead to loss of employment, lack of access to school and childcare services, and an increase in domestic violence.

And if so far we have seen physical and environmental health problems, It is estimated that 75% of people affected by floods suffers from mental health problemswith high levels of anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, psychosis and depression.

And to continue with the domino effect, weeks and months after the floods, and as a consequence of the problems of poverty, insufficient nutrition and gastrointestinal infections, malnutrition appears or worsens in children and adults.

Corollary

Floods constitute a serious threat to public health and aid programmes, in addition to repairing bridges, roads and other infrastructure, must focus on the health aspect.

The daily provision of clean food and water and the installation of portable toilets should be the priority from day one. The installation of portable toilets must be accompanied by a system of daily cleaning by paid members of the community.

In the same way, the collection of garbage and waste must be a priority. Probably, The great challenge as a society is learning to prepare for the next floodIt seems that we do not learn from our mistakes. Every year the problem occurs and every year we are in the same situation.