Effects of Southwest Monsoon
Fast Facts for Staff: Health Tips During Floods
20 August 2013
Fast Facts for Staff: Health Tips During Floods
Floods in Central Mindanao
Flooding creates a number of health problems. It is important to be aware of these and to take
the necessary precautions. This sheet provides a few ‘fastSituation
facts’ to help
staff
report
no.protect
_1__ themselves
and their families.
1 August 2013
Effects of Southwest Monsoon
Fast Facts for Staff: Health Tips During Floods
Water Safety
20 August 2013
During flooding, drinking water systems can become contaminated with sewage and grey water.
It is important during floods to:
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Use only bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth and cleaning vegetables and fruit that will be
eaten raw
Floods in Central Mindanao
If bottled water is not available, tap water should be boiled before use
o Boiling means: bring the water to boiling point (bubbles
andreport
lots of no.
steam)
Situation
_1__and boil for at
least one minute
1 August
o Cool water and ideally filter using a commercial filter
before2013
use
o Take care to protect children and elderly from boiling water, kettle leads and accidental
spillage of boiling water
If not other options available, treat clean water using chlorine as per manufacturer’s instructions
Effects of Southwest Monsoon
Fast Facts for Staff: Health Tips During Floods
20 August 2013
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a rare and can be mild to severe bacterial infection caused by Leptospira bacteria which
can be found in water that has been contaminated by animal urine. Many parts of the Philippines
including Metro Manila are endemic for leptospirosis. Outbreaks of leptospirosis have occurred
previously during floods.
The leptospira bacterium enters the body through the eyes, nose, mouth and cuts and grazes on the skin
that are immersed in contaminated flood water, mud and vegetations. Exposure through water
contaminated by urine from infected animals is the most common route of infection. Human-to-human
transmission is rare.
Protecting Yourself
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Avoid flood waters and mud.
Don’t swim in flood water.
Wear boots if wadding through flood waters and boots and gloves when cleaning the environment
after flood.
If feet, hands or other parts of body are immersed in flood water:
o Wash immediately with clean water and soap
o Clean all cuts and grazes with disinfectant
If water was very dirty and likely heavily contaminated and you have some open cuts that were
immersed in the water particularly for a long period of time:
o Contact your doctor and ask if doxycycline prophylaxis (an antibiotic that can help to
prevent leptospirosis if taken soon after exposure) is needed
o Note that doxycycline prophylaxis is NOT always needed and has some side effects but if you
have open wounds that have been immersed in dirty flood water, you should discuss this
with your doctor and ask if doxycycline prophylaxis is needed and appropriate for you
Know the warning signs
Leptospirosis can be mild to life threatening. However, most people recover fully if early treatment with
antibiotics is given. Symptoms start on average 10 days (range 2 to 26 days) after exposure to
contaminated water that has been able to enter the body through mucosa, cuts/wounds.
Most people suffer from flu like symptoms to begin with:
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Dry cough
Fever and chills
Headache and muscle pain and joint pain
Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
Less common symptoms include:
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Abdominal pain
Breathing difficulties
Conjunctivitis
Enlarged lymph glands, spleen or liver
Skin rash
Contact your doctor if you develop any of the above symptoms and have been exposed to flood
water. Bloods tests for leptospiros are available in Philippines and early treatment saves lives.
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Dengue and Chikungunya and other mosquito-borne diseases
Two to three weeks after flooding we can expect to see a rise in mosquito-borne diseases such as
dengue and chikungunya and, in endemic places, also malaria. This is because mosquitos breed easily
and quickly in pools of water left behind from flooding.
Protect yourself, your family and your community by:
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Tipping out all pots and containers where water can collect – do this every day and keep your house
and garden ‘water pool’ free
Shake off large leaves in your garden as mosquitoes can breed in small amounts of water that collect
between leaf and trunk of banana and other large plants
Keep your surroundings clean and free from waste that can contain rain water like used tires, open
bottles and cans, styros, plastics, etc.
Cover water containers used for collection and storage of water for domestic use including for
drinking.
Keep screens on windows closed and check and repair any holes
Cover up – wear long clothing especially at dawn and dusk, but also at day time
Avoid sitting outside – especially at dawn and dusk, but also at day time
Use mosquito repellent, coils and burners to avoid getting bitten
Dengue and Chikungunya
Both dengue and chikungunya virus is transmitted by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. Dengue
fever and chikungunya are febrile illnesses that affect infants, young children and adults.
Symptoms appear 3—14 days after the infective bite and include:
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Mild to incapacitating high fever
Headache and pain behind the eyes
Muscle and joint pain
Rash
There are no specific antiviral medicines for dengue or chikungunya. It is important to stay well
hydrated.
Do NOT take acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. aspirin) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Ibuprofen)
if you have dengue fever as these drugs increase the chances of bleeding occurring.
Use paracetamol or medication prescribed by your doctors to treat pain and fever. Consult your
physician and do not self medicate.
Watch out for any warning sign like:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Abdominal pain and tenderness
Persistent vomiting
Mucosal bleeding
Lethargy and or restlessness
Seek medical care immediately if any of these signs occur – do not wait, waiting can cost lives
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