TYPHOON PREPARATIONS

Southstar Drug|May 15, 2020

Typhoons not only bring in rain and wind, but a host of diseases that can be harmful to one’s health.
Below are some dos and don’ts for the typhoon season:

Disease Prevention Measures

• Boil your drinking water (Upon reaching boiling point, extend boiling for two or more minutes) or
• Do water chlorination
• Wash hands before preparing food and after using the toilet.
• Avoid wading in floodwater. If you must, wear rubber boots.
• Clean-up all possible mosquito breeding sites, such as vases, empty coconut shells, old tires and tin cans.

Health Effects

• Disease related to contaminated water due to flooding,such as acute gastroenteritis, typhoid fever, cholera and hepatitis A.
• Disease related to wading in floodwaters contaminated with urine of infected animals, such as leptospirosis.
• Disease brought by mosquitoes, such as dengue and malaria.
• Accidents and injuries such as contusions, lacerations, fractures, electrocution.

What to Do In Case of Flood

• Stay inside a house or building during heavy rains.
• Avoid wading and taking baths in floodwaters.
• When a flood advisory is issued, residents in low lying areas should seek for higher grounds.
• Avoid crossing low-lying areas and bridges during evacuation.

Source: Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines