Launching disinfection, preventing epidemics after floods
Immediately after the recent storm No. 13 and the historic flood, the Gia Lai provincial health sector mobilized maximum forces, equipment and chemicals to deploy environmental sanitation, water treatment, waste collection and disinfection, prevent disease outbreaks, and ensure people's health safety.
From November 22 to 26, the provincial Department of Health launched a peak period of environmental treatment and disease prevention after storms and floods, with nearly 200 cadres, doctors, nurses from the provincial Center for Disease Control (CDC) and medical centers participating.
In Tuy Phuoc flood center and heavily flooded areas in Quy Nhon, medical forces simultaneously sprayed Cloramin B chemicals on a large scale, concentrated in residential areas, schools, medical stations, markets and public places.
Working groups coordinated with localities to clear mud, clear sewers, collect and treat animal carcasses. At the same time, check the level of pollution of wells, digging wells and water tanks; distribute Cloramin B and Aquatabs for people to proactively treat domestic water at home.
Along with environmental sanitation work, the medical team conducts community health monitoring, monitoring symptoms of gastrointestinal diseases, rash fever, red eye pain and dermatological diseases.
According to Mr. Le Quang Hung - Director of the Gia Lai Provincial Department of Health, the campaign aims to handle environmental pollution caused by storms and floods, especially in residential areas, schools, health stations, markets...; disinfect domestic water sources, ensure clean water supply; at the same time, proactively prevent the risk of outbreaks of diseases such as acute diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, dengue fever, pink eye and dermatology.
Complete environmental treatment, continue to strive to prevent epidemics
In addition to the on-site medical force, the Gia Lai provincial health sector has received timely support from central units and provinces and cities. In particular, the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City has mobilized human resources to provide professional support and provide vaccines and essential supplies to help the province recover from the flood.
Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Vu Trung - Director of the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City - said that as soon as the Institute received the support request, it established a working group to strengthen Gia Lai.
"We conduct risk assessments, field surveys, technical support for monitoring and handling outbreaks, and support testing along with many other professional activities," said Director Nguyen Vu Trung.
To protect people and forces to overcome the consequences of storms and floods against the risk of tetanus, the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City supports Gia Lai with 4,000 doses of tetanus-barbage vaccine and 2,000 doses of Tetanus-atox vaccine. The Institute also mobilizes additional drugs, essential foods and medical equipment to support the locality.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Truyen - Director of CDC Gia Lai - said that up to now, environmental treatment work after floods has been basically completed. The unit has fully supplied Cloramine B disinfectants to deeply flooded areas such as Quy Nhon Bac, Quy Nhon Tay, Quy Nhon Dong, Quy Nhon Nam wards and Tuy Phuoc, Tuy Phuoc Dong, Tuy Phuoc Tay, Tuy Phuoc Bac communes.
Mr. Truyen noted that the flood situation from now until the end of the year is still complicated, so environmental sanitation work must be maintained regularly, especially after each flood.
The rainy season is the time when dengue fever is likely to increase. Currently, CDC Gia Lai has prepared chemicals to kill bedbugs/ksbikes, chemicals to spray mosquitoes and increased propaganda for people to take measures to prevent dengue fever.
