[Click! Health] 'Record-breaking Heavy Rain'... Beware of Flood-Related Infectious Diseases

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] As heavy rain continues nationwide, casualties and property damage are occurring one after another. When flooding or river overflow occurs due to the monsoon or typhoon, the hygiene environment becomes vulnerable, increasing the risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases transmitted by pathogens, mosquitoes, rats, and other vectors, so caution is required.

Waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases such as typhoid fever, bacterial dysentery, hepatitis A, and enteric infections (including norovirus infections) can mainly spread through contaminated water. In addition, mosquito-borne infectious diseases, contact dermatitis, tetanus, and leptospirosis may also occur. As of July this year, the number of reported flood-related infectious disease cases includes 24 cases of typhoid fever, 21 cases of bacterial dysentery, 1,276 cases of hepatitis A, and 202 cases of malaria.

To prevent waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases, it is important to follow related guidelines. Wash hands with soap for more than 30 seconds before and after cooking or before eating. When drinking water, it is preferable to consume packaged bottled water or boiled water, and food should be thoroughly heated. If you have symptoms such as diarrhea or vomiting, or if you have wounds on your hands, you should not participate in food preparation, including washing ingredients. Also, avoid consuming food that has been exposed to water or has not been refrigerated for more than about 4 hours.

Especially in areas contaminated by flood damage, be cautious of epidemic conjunctivitis and skin diseases. Exposure of the skin to contaminated water can cause skin diseases, so when working in flooded areas, wear waterproof clothing and long boots to prevent skin exposure. If exposed to water, wash the skin thoroughly with clean water. During flood recovery work, adequate hydration and rest are also necessary.

Since environments conducive to mosquito breeding, such as puddles of water in flood-affected areas, are created, mosquito-borne infectious diseases should also be guarded against. To prevent mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as malaria, remove stagnant water such as puddles and blocked drainage where mosquito larvae breed. It is advisable to avoid outdoor activities during mosquito active hours (from sunset to before sunrise). Wear light-colored long-sleeved clothing and use mosquito repellents and insecticides.

Furthermore, in temporary shelters or evacuation facilities for disaster victims, there is a risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 due to crowded conditions. To prevent this, it is recommended to follow respiratory infectious disease prevention guidelines such as hand washing and wearing masks.

Baek Kyung-ran, Commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, stated, "It is important to consume safe water and food and to follow personal hygiene rules," and added, "In the event of a mass outbreak of waterborne and foodborne infectious diseases, please promptly report to the public health center if collective diarrhea occurs to prevent transmission."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.