Srinagar: As the flood-like situation in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir continues, the Health and Medical Education Department, in coordination with the Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS, and the National Health Mission (NHM), has issued a comprehensive Public Health Advisory.
The advisory highlights measures to prevent the outbreak of water-borne and vector-borne diseases, ensure food and water safety, and address mental health needs during this crisis.
According to KNO, health experts have cautioned that contaminated water and food sources pose a grave risk of diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A and E.
They said the foremost priority should be access to safe water. “People should drink only boiled or chlorinated water (rolling boil for at least 5–10 minutes), sealed and packaged bottled water from reliable sources remains the safest option, if water appears muddy, it must be filtered through a clean cloth before boiling or treating and water should be stored in clean, covered containers, and hands or unclean objects should not be dipped into stored water, instead, a ladle or small vessel should be used.”
Doctors have urged that only freshly cooked, hot food should be consumed. “Raw vegetables, cut fruits, or uncovered food must be avoided. Any food that has come into contact with floodwater should be discarded immediately. Dry rations should be stored at elevated levels inside homes to protect them from contamination.”
According to the advisory, people must maintain strict hand hygiene – wash hands with soap and clean water after defecation and before meals, and avoid wading in floodwaters. If unavoidable, use rubber boots and clean and dry skin folds properly to prevent fungal infections.
In endemic areas, authorities have advised people to sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets, wear full-sleeved clothing in the evenings, use mosquito repellents and prevent stagnation of water in containers or surroundings.
“People must avoid walking in floodwaters, especially at night without adequate lighting, be alert for snakes seeking shelter in dry areas and in case of a snake bite, immediate medical care is essential,” they said.
Doctors have urged people to dispose of solid waste only at designated sites, avoid dumping garbage into water sources and use temporary latrines if regular sanitation facilities are submerged.
The advisory also highlighted the psychological toll of natural disasters.
Children and the elderly should be reassured and provided with emotional support, and for anxiety, depression, or trauma, people have been encouraged to seek help from mental health services.
The Tele MANAS helpline (14416) has been activated to provide mental health assistance.
The NHM advisory further urged residents to seek early medical help in case of fever, diarrhoea, vomiting, jaundice, skin infections, or injuries and continue routine immunisations and ensure patients with chronic illnesses like diabetes and hypertension continue their treatments without interruption.
For emergencies, the helpline numbers 104, 102, and 108 remain functional.
Neglecting these precautions could lead to a secondary health crisis of preventable diseases, medical experts warned—(KNO)
