Dengue, Zika, gastroenteritis?These are the diseases plaguing Acapulco after Hurricane Otis

No one would have thought a week ago acapulcoOne of Mexico’s most important ports would be destroyed. Otiswhich seems to be a tropical storm It will only cause rain and then dissipate, eventually becoming a Greedy Category 5 Hurricane In the early hours of Wednesday, October 25, the disaster destroyed everything in its path.

The damage remains incalculable.Seven days after the tragedy 46 people died and 58 people were missingBut unfortunately, as the census and port cleaning efforts progress, this number is likely to increase.As for material losses, they are only estimated to exceed 200,000 houses affected, thousands killed.

Support began pouring in from all corners of Mexico. Pantry, Clothing, Basic Necessities and Hot meal distributed daily not only by officials; volunteer Stranded people from Acapulco and even from other states or people who moved to the port to find relatives or just to help.

But Hurricane Otis had a severe impact not only on Acapulco, but also on neighboring cities. Cojuca de Benitez and Tecopan de Galina. In any case, on social networks and the media in which they spread Photos and videos Destruction shown: Houses without roofs, downed telephone poles and trees, cars under the dirt and streets flooded can be a Potential focus of infection.

exactly after hurricane or any other natural disaster,Unfortunately disease -most infectious or bacterial– The Pan American Health Organization warns that due to the discovery of causative agents in the environment and increased risk factors for transmission (OPS).

Acapulco is currently flooded – or in the best case scenario, under water – as we all know. Still water this is the perfect environment fly (Medically known as vector) multiply and begin to germinate.

“Dengue, Zika, Chikungunya, What are the main diseases that occur? after disaster,Interpreted as Mexico Information Network Alejandra Vazquez, Nurse at the General Hospital “Las América” ​​in Ecatepecwho over the years Work in a health center in TabascoIn tropical areas, these diseases are common due to their climate and geography.

Health experts explain that these diseases is transmitted by mosquitoes and show their first Symptoms appear in the first week after being bittenAmong them are fever greater than 38 degrees, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, muscle and joint pain, and sometimes rash.Although in most cases these diseases They will fall off within a week or twoIn a disaster situation, discomfort can spread or worsen if not treated properly.

In view of this, health authorities must pay attention to the first cases and exercise self-control to prevent the epidemic from expanding; it is necessary Detect vector breeding sites and destroy themto prevent water and fly reproduction again. Likewise, people must be given guidance on how to store what little water they have so that it is not exposed to the formation of breeding colonies.

Logically, mosquito-borne diseases are the only ones that threaten Acapulco’s population, given the city’s standing water and prevailing climate. However, after the hurricane, Gastrointestinal diseases They also pose a threat that authorities should not let go.

Many stores were looted after the hurricane hit no foodso people are Looking for food on the streets and even in the trash, while having access to a food pantry. Due to the high temperatures and contaminants the water drags in its path, Many foods break down faster When eaten, they can cause Digestive system damage.The same thing happened to him waterwhich in many cases may contain Bacteria, parasites, and even feces or urine.

some people may experience diarrhea and vomiting, But in other cases they may suffer Gastroenteritis, amoebiasis or until leptospirosiswhich may result in mortal If not dealt with promptly, as they can lead to dehydration in patients; while in the latter, it can also cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

this skin disease They are also an issue that arises after natural disasters, “especially Dermatitis and onychomycosis”, explains Alejandra Vázquez; the first by a rash or hives On the skin – Inflammation after contact with certain substances; while the second caused by fungi It occurs mainly on the nails, feet, hands, and sometimes the scalp.

Equally important is, Respiratory Diseases.Environmental imbalance caused by hurricanes People’s defenses are lowered (coupled with shock from experiencing a disaster), so the airways tend to weaken, “these conditions particularly affect people with chronic medical conditions or immune systems, children and the elderly,” explains the emergency nurse expert.

Alejandra Vázquez explains that some examples of respiratory illnesses that may have occurred after Hurricane Otis are influenzainfluenza, nose, throat (pharyngitis), or sinus infections, as well as bronchitis, bronchiolitis, pneumonia, and tracheitis, Viral or bacterial originan agent that usually exists in the environment.

The challenges facing health authorities in the face of such tragedies cannot be underestimated.Director of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS), Zoé Robledo announced last week, first aid expert They’re going to the port for support, and they arrived over the weekend. cuban doctor Persons participating in the IMSS benefit plan.

However, in addition to necessary Restore clinic and hospital operations as soon as possiblea campaign was also launched to detect possible Post-hurricane disease outbreak Financial and human resources are allocated to care for them, not just the patients who were there before the tragedy.