Govt Issues Advisory to Prevent Water-Borne Diseases in Flood-Hit Areas

SRINAGAR: As flood-like conditions persist across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, the Health and Medical Education Department, in coordination with SKIMS’ Department of Community Medicine and the National Health Mission (NHM), has issued a detailed Public Health Advisory to prevent a possible secondary health crisis.

The advisory warns of outbreaks of water-borne and vector-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A and E due to contamination of food and water sources. Authorities stressed that access to safe drinking water must remain the foremost priority.

Residents have been advised to drink only boiled or chlorinated water, with sealed bottled water recommended as the safest option. If water appears muddy, it should be filtered before boiling. Storing water in clean, covered containers and using ladles instead of dipping hands is strongly advised.

Doctors have urged people to eat only freshly cooked food, avoid raw vegetables or cut fruits, and discard anything that has come into contact with floodwater. Dry rations should be stored at elevated levels to prevent contamination.

The advisory emphasises strict hand hygiene, use of rubber boots while wading through floodwaters, and proper cleaning of skin folds to prevent fungal infections. To guard against mosquito-borne illnesses, residents have been urged to use insecticide-treated nets, wear protective clothing in the evenings, and eliminate stagnant water around homes.

Authorities have also warned against walking in floodwaters at night without lighting, citing the risk of snake bites, and advised proper waste disposal to prevent contamination of water sources.

Acknowledging the psychological toll of natural disasters, the advisory urged families to reassure children and the elderly, and encouraged those experiencing anxiety or trauma to seek professional help through the Tele MANAS helpline (14416).

Emergency numbers 104, 102, and 108 remain functional for health-related assistance. Officials cautioned that neglecting these measures could lead to a preventable secondary health crisis. (KNO)