Flowing rivers: Amazonas Health warns of a greater risk of contracting at least four diseases

Among the diseases are acute diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, typhoid and cholera.

Droughts are among the natural disasters that cause the greatest damage to public health, either by disrupting water supply systems or by indirectly affecting the occurrence of diseases. In Amazonas, government health agencies warn that with the tides, there is a risk of infection through contact with water contaminated with diseases such as acute diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, typhoid and cholera.

According to the Amazonas Health Surveillance Foundation – Dr. Rosemary Costa Pinto (FVS-RCP), a unit associated with the State Department of Health (SES-AM), in the January-September period of this year, 167,815 cases of diarrheal disease were recorded. the state.

In the viral hepatitis scenario, from January to July 2022, 31 cases were recorded. Still in the state, there are no recorded cases of typhoid fever in 2022. Cholera has not occurred in the state since 1999.

According to the head of the epidemiological surveillance department at FVS-RCP, Alexsandro Melo, measures to prevent these diseases have been intensified since the beginning of the flood. Among the measures is the distribution of sodium hypochlorite to purify water for human consumption.

“FVS has already made available about 1.5 million bottles of hypochlorite so that the population can get the lowest possible quality in the water. We are also working with the Civil Defense to prepare the municipalities and to intervene, mainly in the health network, for the early verification of cases of malnourished children and elderly people. “, He said.

guidance

According to the FVS-RCP, it is essential for residents to update their vaccination record, to prevent disease and stabilize cases. In addition, the foundation is working to provide oral rehydration salts and instruct residents on how to prepare a homemade serum.

In October, the FVS-RCP also issued a technical alert note on drought in the Amazon rivers and the importance of preparedness and response actions by municipal health departments.

The document highlights the responsibility of municipal health departments, along with the state, to prepare for disaster situations that cause damage to public health, with the aim of preventing and controlling diseases.