Health activists survey flood areas, identify five hotspots

Floods are always associated with an increased risk of infection. To spread awareness about vector-borne and water-borne diseases and to prevent their outbreaks, a team of health activists from Indian Public Health Association conducted a survey to identify the most vulnerable spots across the city, which has faced one of the worst deluges during this northeast monsoon.Floodwater has receded in many areas but waterlogged roads and clogged drains have become breeding grounds of mosquitoes.
A group of 35 members from the association split into seven teams and surveyed flooded areas over five days.They found that Velachery, Porur, Pulianthope, West Mambalam, Tondiarpet and Madhuravoyal were the worst hit and the most unsafe.“Most of these areas had severe water stagnation and the sanitation and hygiene has taken a big hit,“ said Dr S Elango, state president of IPHA. If immediate steps are not taken, mosquitoes will breed in the collected freshwater and give rise to dengue, malaria and chikungunya, he warned.
The surveyors found that several houses had linked their septic tanks to public drains and this resulted in reverse overflow during the rain. “It is mandatory that people connect their septic tanks to seepage pits. Since that was not done, toilets overflowed and faecal matter was floating everywhere,“ said Dr Elango. Also since most drains were clogged with plastic waste, it obstructed water flow and caused septic tanks and toilets to overflow, he said.He added that 90% of these areas did not have clean drinking water.
Dr Anita Suryanarayanan of Lister Metropolis said chances were high that many people could get cholera and diarrhoea as safe potable drinking water is not available in many areas due to water contamination. “People should take proper precaution and ensure there is no waterlogging inside the house or in open spaces near the house.Another major threat is leptospirosis, which is caused by rat urine. People with cuts in legs or wounds should avoid stepping out in water as coming in contact with contaminated water will result in them contracting the virus,“ she said.
Members of IPHA said the elderly and children were the most vulnerable to infections as most of them did not have access to medicines. “The association is planning to conduct another survey soon to assess the vector-breeding pattern and disease surveillance in these areas. We will submit the report to the state health department for further action,“ said Dr Elango.