Recently the state of Kerala was destroyed by the floods and many people got affected. It is important to note that the floods apart from killing many could also cause many diseases in us. During floods there is increased contamination of drinking water. The direct contact with the polluted waters could result in increased risk of water borne diseases.
Some water borne diseases floods could cause are
Cholera:
Most of us would have heard about cholera. Not many of us know that this deadly disease cholera spreads like fire during the floods. The various reasons for this disease are contamination of food, water plus poor hygienic conditions. The symptoms of cholera are vomiting, leg cramps, diarrhoea etc.
Typhoid:
The bacteria salmonella is responsible for this typhoid in us. The contaminated food or drinking water could result in typhoid. The various symptoms of typhoid are severe pain in the abdomen, headache, vomiting etc. This is caused by salmonella typhi bacteria.
Leptospirosis:
This is also one disease caused by floods and is due to the infection with leptospira bacteria. It must be noted that this bacteria is found in the soil and water during the floods. It is passed from animals to humans through urine. The symptoms appear 5 to 14 days after the person gets affected. Symptoms like rashes, diarrhoea, red eyes, high fever, headache, vomiting are found in those affected by this disease.
Diarrhoea:
Children below the age of 5 get affected by this water born diarrhoea disease. Impure water plus contaminated foods are responsible for this diarrhoea issue. Persons would have symptoms like dehydration, dizziness, loss of consciousness etc. The persons should be treated otherwise it could even lead to deaths.
Hepatitis A:
After flood related sewage contamination of water sources, hepatitis A occurs in us. Infected food or water plays a role in spreading of this disease that is highly contagious. The virus hepatitis A affects liver of the infected person. The symptoms are high fever, nausea, vomiting etc.
Prevention of water borne diseases:
This is very important and these water borne diseases could be prevented by consuming clean water, better sanitation and by hand washing.