With heavy rainfall all across the country, many areas are at risk of floods and with this, cases of water-borne diseases may rise. It is crucial for the public to take action to prevent them or treat any instances of illness.

In the aftermath of last December’s floods, cases of leptospirosis, malaria and dengue were reported to increase almost three-fold. Post-flood diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid and dysentery can also occur due to changes in the environment, poor sanitation and standards of hygiene, contaminated water supply, and the greater susceptibility of humans to pathogens.

Here are some water- and food-borne diseases you should be aware of.

Typhoid fever

Caused by a bacteria known as “Salmonella typhi”, symptoms include prolonged fever, fatigue, headache, loss of appetite, and gastrointestinal signs such as nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea.

The incubation period is six to 30 days after infection, and it is mostly spread through faecal contamination of food and water, or by person-to-person contact.

Cholera

Caused by “Vibrio Cholerae”, this disease causes the infected person to have chronic, watery diarrhoea that can cause dehydration and, in severe cases, death if not treated immediately.

A person can get an infection of the intestine by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. The incubation period is between one and five days.

Giardiasis

Giardia is a tiny parasite that causes the diarrhoeal disease giardiasis. The pathogen is found on surfaces or in soil, food, or water that has been contaminated with faeces from infected people or animals.

Cryptosporidiosis

This is another infection caused by swallowing water that has been contaminated with “Cryptosporidium”, a parasite often found in stool. Diarrhoea, vomiting, and weight loss are the most common symptoms.

Hepatitis A

This contagious liver disease is caused by the Hepatitis virus A through the ingestion of contaminated water or food, or through direct contact with someone who is already infected.

Not all individuals will exhibit symptoms, which include fatigue, fever, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and jaundice. Trickily, Hepatitis A may incubate from two to seven weeks.

The above diseases are similar in that they present themselves primarily as gastrointestinal symptoms. While these may seem typical, they can be highly contagious and potentially life-threatening if not treated appropriately.

Prevention:

• Drink only boiled or bottled water.
• Eat freshly cooked meals and avoid raw foods.
• Peel the skin off of fruit before eating.
• Take note of the cleanliness of establishments when eating out.
• Maintain personal hygiene and wash hands with clean water and soap at all times.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria “Leptospira sp”, usually found in the urine of rats, cats, dogs and cows. It is transmitted through direct contact, or by drinking or showering with floodwater that has been contaminated with the urine of infected animals.

The bacteria can find its way into the body through the skin or mucous membranes (eyes, nose, or mouth), especially if there is an open wound.

Symptoms are broad, ranging from fever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle pain to rashes and dark-coloured urine. While person-to-person transmission is rare, it is still possible, which is why it’s important to take precautionary measures.

Prevention:

• Sanitise as frequently as possible and ensure the cleanliness of the home environment.
• Cover meals to prevent pests from settling on food.
• Practise proper hand and personal hygiene.
• Keep away from floodwater as much as possible, and use only clean water.
• Wash and dress wounds accordingly and keep them away from floodwater.

Dengue fever

Malaysia is no stranger to dengue fever, cases of which are likely to increase after floods recede due to the abundance of stagnant water.

Symptoms include a sudden onset of fever accompanied by a bad headache, joint and muscle pains, nausea and vomiting, diarrhoea, pain behind the eyes, as well as itchy hives. Bright red spots often appear on the lower parts of the body or, in some cases, all over.

Those with dengue fever should receive immediate medical attention as they could suffer from more serious consequences such as inflammation of the liver, brain, and even heart muscle. Patients may also be at risk of shock and bleeding if their situation continues to deteriorate

Typically, dengue fever lasts for five to seven days. With proper treatment, most patients will recover within a week.

Prevention:

• Ensure there are no breeding grounds for aedes mosquitoes; plastic containers, used beverage cans, and polystyrene containers can hold stagnant water.
• Use mosquito repellent as far as possible.

Conjunctivitis

Also known as “pink eye”, conjunctivitis is often seen in flood victims. It is an infection of the conjunctiva, the layer outside the cornea surrounding the white area of the eye.

Conjunctivitis is contagious and can be spread from person to person through the sharing of personal items such as towels, pillows, and handkerchiefs. Signs and symptoms include eye pain, red eyes, increased tearing, stickiness, itchy eyes, and sensitivity to light.

Prevention:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after touching surfaces.
• As far as possible, avoid touching your eyes, especially if you have already been infected.
• Avoid close contact with infected persons and don’t share any personal items.

This article was written by DOC2US, a mobile application that allows you to talk to a doctor or any healthcare professionals via text chat at any time and from anywhere.