
Health team sent to flood-hit blocks in Balasore
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Bhubaneswar: In view of flooding in low-lying areas of Balasore district, the govt on Tuesday sent a health team to take stock of the situation. "The team will visit Basta and Baliapal blocks and nearby areas," said director of public health Nilakantha Mishra here on Tuesday.
Mishra said bleaching powder, halogen tablets and anti-snake venom serums have been supplied to flood-prone districts. "If needed, more health teams will be sent to Balasore and other districts. We are keeping an eye on the flood situation in Balasore and adjoining Mayurbhanj district," he added.
He said they have already directed officials to prepare for possible flood in some parts of the state. "They will map the places where floodwater enters.
Officials will ensure an adequate stock of drugs. A control room will be opened in the flood-affected areas. Rapid response teams will be on alert to address health-related issues," he added.
"We have not received information about any water-borne disease in flood-affected areas so far. We are in constant touch with chief district medical and public health officers of Balasore and Mayurbhanj districts. We are keeping a strict vigil on the situation," said Mishra.
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He said essential medicines are stored in hospitals for immediate use. "The diarrhoea and cholera situation in six districts, including Jajpur, has improved a lot. We are also conducting a diarrhoea awareness drive across the state, including in flood-prone areas," he added.
"There is a possibility that floodwater mixed with sewage may enter many homes in low-lying flood-affected areas. After the water recedes, people may suffer from different water-borne diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery and other gastrointestinal problems due to water contamination," said a senior health official.
Snakebites are also reported from flooded areas. "People also get typhoid, hepatitis and other bacterial infections due to contamination of water sources. People can boil water and drink it to prevent such diseases. They should keep watch on movement of snakes near their houses," he added.
The health department is also keeping an eye on spread of vector-borne diseases like dengue and malaria.
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