Clinical Updates
22 August 2011
Increase in flooding and associated health risks
Over the past decade there has been improved recognition, reporting and analysis of natural disasters [1].
The frequency of natural disasters, including tropical cyclones, rains and floods, has increased in recent weeks in several regions of the world. This has led to severe disruption of services, displacement of affected people, and increased loss of life. Flooding has particularly affected southern and western Africa, Asia and South America [2]. In the past decade (2000-2009), according to the World Disasters Report 2010, 62% of deaths due to disasters globally were from the 11 countries of the WHO South East Asia Region [3].
Africa
During 2011, countries affected by flooding include: Ghana, Nigeria, Namibia, Benin and Uganda [2].
The Americas
Several countries have reported flooding including the United States, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Haiti [2].
South East Asia
Destructive flooding has affected: Thailand, South Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, India, the Philippines, Myanmar and Pakistan, [2].
A year after the large-scale flood disaster in Pakistan, new flooding has occurred since the end of July 2011. A total of 750,000 people have been affected by monsoon flooding in Punjab and Sindh provinces [4]; Badin district in Sindh is the most affected [5]. Flooding of the Sutlej River has inundated several villages in Kasur District, Punjab province [6].
In August 2011, Thiès, the western region of Senegal, has reported severe rains with a total of 5,214 people affected [7]. As of 12 August, Bududa in Kaabong District, northern Uganda has been severely affected by mudslides. As of 18 August, the affected communities are in Bunambutye (11,000 people) and Bwikhonge (2,500 people) sub-counties [8].
Health risks
Flood waters pose several health risks. These include drowning, serious injury from falling into fast flowing water, or hidden dangers in flooded roadways, such as missing manhole covers. Flooding can lead to inadequate clean drinking water and sanitation facilities, and disrupt electrical and transport services. There is also the impact of the flood and its aftermath on mental health and wellbeing [9].
A number of flood-related health risks have been reported:
- Democratic People's Republic of Korea: Heavy rains have affected the ground water quality, leading to an increase in diarrhoea cases. As of 28 July, the incidence of acute diarrhoea has increased by 25% to 40%, particularly among children in North Hwanghae and South Hwanghae provinces [10].
- Philippines: An increase of 73% in cases of leptospirosis (613 total cases) has been reported from 1 January to 9 July. Most cases were from Western Visayas (30%), Bicol Region (10%) and Central Luzon (10%) [11].
- Pakistan:
- An increase in skin infections and scabies were reported as of 15 August 2011 [5].
- Cholera cases have been reported in all provinces of the country [12].
- Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic): Coinciding with the start of the rainy season, cholera cases have increased, reaching a second peak in June 2011 [13].
Advice for travellers
Infrastructure, communication and travel networks in the areas affected by floods and mudslides are frequently severely disrupted.
Standing water and contamination of the water supply can lead to enteric infections: e.g. salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, shigellosis, cholera, hepatitis A and E, and intestinal parasites including giardiasis, cryptosporidiosis and amoebiasis. Careful food and water hygiene precautions should be practised by travellers in affected areas.
Travellers should check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website for current travel advisories. Country specific advice can be found on the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages.
General advice can also be found in the NaTHNaC Health Information Sheet, advice for relief workers and other travellers to areas affected by natural disasters.
All travellers should obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
References
1. The World Metereological Organization. News. Weather extremes and in a changing climate: hindsight on foresight. 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at: http://www.wmo.int/pages/mediacentre/news/documents/
2. Relief Web. Countries and Disasters. In-depth profiles, updates and reports on countries and disasters. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at: http://reliefweb.int/countries
3. The World Health Organization. Emergency and Humanitarian Action. World Humanitarian Day – People helping People. 19 August 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at: http://www.searo.who.int/en/Section1257/Section2263.htm
4. Relief Web. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Pakistan: Sindh Flash Floods. 17 August 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/IBPKfl17
5. Relief Web. World Health Organization. Heavy Rains in District Badin. 18 August 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at:
http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/F_R_230.pdf
6. Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) News. Pakistan: Here comes the monsoon. 17 August 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at:
http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=93519
7. Relief Web. Countries and Disasters. Senegal: Floods - August 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at: http://reliefweb.int/taxonomy/term/8931
8. Relief Web. Uganda – Mudslide August 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at: http://reliefweb.int/taxonomy/term/8956
9. Health Protection Agency. Flooding. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/flooding
10. Relief Web. Democratic People's Republic of Korea (the). Heavy Rain Damage: Situation Report 2. 28 July 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at:
http://reliefweb.int/node/437537
11. Republic of the Philippines, Department of Health. Sustain Community clean up. 16 August 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at:
12. The World Health Organization. Health Action in crises. Pakistan flood response epidemiological bulletin. Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin. 16 August 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at: http://www.who.int/hac/crises/pak/sitreps/pakistan_epi_
13. The Pan American Health Organization. Epidemiological Alert: Update on the Cholera situation in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 26 July 2011. [Accessed 22 August 2011]. Available at:
http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=
Links
NaTHNaC advice for relief workers and other travellers to areas affected by natural disasters
NaTHNaC Country Information Pages
Health Protection Agency - Flooding
Disclaimer | Copyright | Privacy | Sitemap | Accessibility