Diseases that come with floods
Published on: Sun, Jun 15, 2025
By: Dr Veshny Ganesan, Dr Holly Girlchy Jastin and Dr Muhd Suhail Abd Wali Text Size: FLOODS are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, affecting thousands of families across Sabah. Beyond the destruction of homes and infrastructure, floods pose a serious health threat by increasing the risk of infectious diseases.
Advertisement Understanding these risks and taking preventive measures is crucial for building a resilient community that can withstand and recover from flood-related health challenges. The Health Risks: Diseases That Rise with the Waters Public health officials warn that floodwaters are often contaminated with sewage, animal waste, and chemicals, creating the perfect storm for outbreaks of diarrheal diseases, hepatitis, typhoid, and leptospirosis. The hardest hit are typically rural and low-income areas, where access to clean water and sanitation is already a challenge. When floodwater rises, it carries contaminated waste, bacteria, and viruses that can lead to outbreaks of waterborne, vector-borne, and respiratory infections. 1. Waterborne diseases occur from drinking or coming into contact with contaminated water. Leptospirosis spreads through contact with water contaminated by rodent urine.
Cholera and diarrhea are caused by bacteria like Vibrio cholerae and E. coli in contaminated water.
Hepatitis A and E are viral infections transmitted through contaminated food and water. 2. Vector-borne diseases are spread by mosquitoes breeding in stagnant floodwaters. Dengue Fever and Malaria are caused by mosquitoes that thrive in stagnant water left by floods.
Chikungunya and Zika Virus are emerging threats in flood-prone regions. 3. Respiratory infections may occur from overcrowding and poor sanitation in evacuation shelters. Pneumonia and Tuberculosis spread in crowded conditions with inadequate ventilation.
Skin and Fungal Infections due to prolonged exposure to dirty floodwater. How Communities can Prevent Disease Outbreaks While floods are inevitable, flood-related diseases are preventable. Communities can take the following precautionary steps to stay safe: Ensure Safe Drinking Water: Boil water for at least one minute or use water purification tablets before drinking.
Recovery from flood: Clean and disinfect homes and surroundings after flooding. Dispose of waste properly to avoid contaminating local water sources.
Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites: Drain stagnant water in homes and public areas to reduce mosquito populations.
Practice Personal Hygiene: Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially before eating.
Use Protective Gear: Wear boots and gloves when cleaning up flood-affected areas to prevent skin infections and leptospirosis.
Seek Medical Help Promptly: If you are experiencing fever, diarrhea, or unusual skin infections, visit the nearest health center for immediate care. The Role of Community in Resilience and Recovery A resilient community works together before, during, and after floods. Here's how communities can strengthen their defenses: Emergency Preparedness Plans: Establish community response teams and evacuation procedures. Local leaders and volunteers can be trained to conduct health talks, distribute water filters, and assist during emergency response operations.
Public Awareness Campaigns: Conduct health education on flood risks through community meetings, radio broadcasts, and social media.
Community Clean-Up Drives: Organize post-flood sanitation efforts to prevent outbreaks.
Support for Vulnerable Groups: Ensure that the elderly, children, and people with disabilities receive priority assistance. Call to Action: Be a Flood-Resilient Community! As the climate crisis intensifies, flooding is no longer a seasonal hazard but a recurring public health emergency. By staying informed and prepared, we can protect our families and communities. Join hands in building resilience against flood-related diseases—because a strong, healthy community starts with you! The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express. If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
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