Nearly 25,000 people hit by post-flood diseases

The flood waters may be gradually receding after ravaging the northern regions of the country, but a new challenge has emerged among the victims in the form of disease. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) said a total of 24,669 people in flood-hit districts have been infected by various waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea and skin disorders. DHGS Health Emergency Operations Center and Control Room reported that around 12,921 people have been affected with diarrhoea, while 971 have been suffering from respiratory tract infections, and 684 people are afflicted with skin disorders. Furthermore, around 373 people are suffering from impaired vision, while 8,331 people are dealing with other health related issues. The DGHS has already taken action and formed 2,939 medical teams for deployment to the affected areas. “Five-member medical teams have been instructed to provide support to the flood victims,” DGHS official Abdur Rahim told the Dhaka Tribune. The authorities have distributed 1,771,700 units of water purifying tablets, 3,068,156 packs of Oral Rehydration Solution, 123,855 units of intravenous fluids and 2861 anti-venom vaccines in the flood-hit districts of Rajshahi, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Sylhet and Dhaka divisions. “The government has been doing a good job in tackling the post-flood situation in the affected areas,” Gowher Nayeem Wahra, a BRAC director said. “However, the government should inform the rural people about where to get treatment after being bitten by snakes.” Gawher also said people are drinking boiled water due to the acute shortage of safe drinking water. Districts under Sylhet division were severely damaged due to flash floods in June. Since then, the country has been experiencing devastating floods in its northern districts in July and August due to excessive rain in South Asia, including Nepal and India. At least 1,200 people have been killed and several millions displaced following the monsoon floods that  hit Nepal, India and Bangladesh in one of the worst natural disasters in recent history. According to the DGHS, at least 198 people died in Bangladesh in the monsoon floods from July 16 to August 29. They include 168 people who drowned and at least 16 people who died from snake bites.