Precautionary measures may save people from post-rain diseases

Rawalpindi:The spread of post-rain diseases particularly after heavy rainfalls during monsoon in areas flooded with contaminated water is proved to be a disaster every year, though with the help of simple precautionary measures if taken well in time, a lot of losses can be minimized to a significant level.

It has been observed that not only in peripheries, but also in urbanized areas, the population has to face the burden of certain infections both the water borne and vector borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever during and after monsoon.

The most common post-rain diseases including diarrhoea, dysentery, gastro, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, malaria, dengue fever etc. hit the population hard after flooding in village areas and accumulation of waste water flooded out of nullahs in and around houses in urbanised areas because of heavy rains.

Health experts believe that the possible outbreaks of both the water borne diseases and vector borne diseases can be prevented by adopting simple precautionary measures in time. These infections are mainly caused by the consumption of contaminated water, unhygienic food, stagnant water and poor sanitary conditions. By avoiding the conditions, the spread of post rain diseases can be controlled.

Experts say that people should follow good dietary habits during monsoon and drink plenty of water, lemonade water if possible, all the day to stay healthy. All drinking water needs to be made safe for drinking which can be done either by boiling or chlorination of water with chlorine tablets or bleaching powder.

Experts say that Chlorine Stock Solution can easily be prepared at home and kept in a container that does not admit light. Add three level table spoons (33 grams) of bleaching powder to one litre or four glasses of water and mix well. Add three drops (0.6ml) of the prepared stock solution to one litre of water to stand for 30 minutes before use.

Similarly after adding chlorine tablets to water, one must wait for 30 minutes before drinking water. Ice from the bazaar should be avoided. Ice should also be prepared from boiled or chlorinated water.

Individuals should follow food safety measures properly. Individuals should eat smaller meals along with maximum use of green vegetables, fruits, onion, lemon, vinegar and curd. Avoid raw foods, particularly cut fruits, sugarcane juice and sharbats being sold at roadside vendors. Food should be eaten while still hot. Cold dishes from the bazaar should be avoided and leftover food should be stored in a refrigerator as early as possible.

Experts say that individuals should take care of hand hygiene as it is a must to avoid water and food borne infections. Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food and feeding children. Fingernails should be properly trimmed as long nails harbour germs. People should avoid passing stools in the open areas and fields. Always use a toilet.

Experts say that people suffering from diarrhoea should take lots of fluids or Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS). In case ORS is not available, especially in rural areas, it can easily be prepared at home.

First wash your hands with soap and water and take four glasses of pre-boiled, cooled water. Add eight teaspoons of sugar and one to two teaspoons of common salt in it. If lemon is available, add juice of one lemon in it. If baking soda is available, add a pinch of baking soda. Shake well and use it in 24 hours.