The Odisha state government has sent medical teams to flood-affected districts to assist residents in preventing or combating the emergence of water-borne infections. Thousands of homes in low-lying parts of 13 districts of the state have been flooded with sewage that has been mixed with floodwaters and over 470 villages have sunk. Over 2.2 lakh individuals are still stranded, and five lakh people have been affected by the floods.

According to a public health specialist, typhoid, hepatitis diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera, various gastrointestinal disorders, and other bacterial infections are frequently reported from flood-affected communities due to contaminated water. In flooded locations, snakebites are also typical. Additionally, the monsoon season increases vector-borne illnesses, including dengue and malaria.

Niranjan Mishra, director of public health, said that the state′s health department has closely monitored the rise in potential water-borne infections in flood-affected districts. The departments Rapid response teams have been stationed in the districts to provide medical care to those in the flood-affected areas. They may transport people to hospitals if necessary, he added. After the floodwaters subsided, bleaching powder will be used to sterilize water sources. He further added that people would be educated about diseases and prevention. Further, he said that the health teams in the districts are coordinating with the chief district medical and public health officers to help the people affected by the flood.  (Times of India, Aug 20, 2022)