After the Department of Public Health issued an epidemiological alert due to the passage of Tropical Storm Franklin as a precautionary measure for a disease that typically affects citizens through rainfall, Daniel Rivera, head of the entity, reported that they will activate an epidemiological alert. . Disease Prevention Day.
Rivera said the strategy will be implemented door-to-door in areas most affected by the atmospheric phenomenon, including Azua, Barahona, San Jose de Ocoa, Greater Santo Domingo and the National District.
“You see the number of people going into the flood waters, but for us, that’s leptospirosis, diarrhea, conjunctivitis, pyodermatitis…that’s contaminated water, now all we have to do is knock on the door… . We will provide dosing for those who have been exposed to water. In all these areas, it will continue as usual. We have enough doxycycline prophylaxis for door-to-door use,” the official said.
The official added that a fumigation day would be conducted after 72 hours as a precautionary measure against a possible outbreak.
“The fumigation will be carried out in the most important areas,” he said, while repeating that they will focus on the affected border with the Provincial Health and Regional Administration.
Rivera provided the information as he left a meeting chaired by President Luis Abinard to assess damage from the passage of Tropical Storm Franklin.
Minister dismisses citizens bathing in polluted water as “reckless”.
Likewise, he said the good thing about the situation is that there aren’t many people in the shelters.
“When there are people in the shelters, we have to provide preventative treatment, water care, conjunctivitis, pyodermatitis treatment, but thank God we have very low participation in the shelters,” he said.
looming challenge
Rainfall and flooding from Tropical Storm Franklin as it moved across the national territory posed immediate challenges for health authorities to avoid outbreaks of water and pollution-related illnesses, including respiratory illnesses, leptospirosis, conjunctivitis and stomach ailments, in addition to dengue fever and malaria.
Considering the large number of people, some by force and others for fun, who come into direct contact with standing water in the streets or overflows from rivers and gullies, thereby increasing the risk of leptospirosis transmission, the challenge becomes Even more serious, a disease that is transmitted to humans through contact with the urine of animals (especially mice) contaminated with Leptospira bacteria.
The greatest risk over time is the emergence of dengue, malaria, and other mosquito-borne diseases, so it is important to begin efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds by cleaning the environment around homes and places where water accumulates.
Outbreaks of these diseases occur frequently in the country after atmospheric phenomena of this nature, such as storms Olga and Noel in 2007, which sparked outbreaks of leptospirosis that killed more than 100 and over 1,000 affected.
In 2017, flooding and rainfall from hurricanes Maria and Irma also contributed to outbreaks and increased cases and deaths of leptospirosis and dengue fever, as well as cases of diarrheal and respiratory illnesses that increased hospital demand, Especially in the provinces, this is even more shocking.
Strengthen hygiene
Since last Monday, the Department of Public Health reported that contingency plans had been activated and epidemiological surveillance reactivated to avoid the risk of illness from the impact of Tropical Storm Franklin, which brought the country Tuesday through Wednesday rains and floods.
Suggested preventive measures to prevent the emergence of illness include washing hands and food before eating, practicing household hygiene, and making drinking water potable by boiling or adding 5 drops of chlorine per gallon.
Also wash vegetables, fruit, and kitchen utensils thoroughly, avoid exposing yourself to dirty puddles, and see a doctor if you develop a fever or other health problem.
Covid-19 report
Meanwhile, official reports show that the number of Covid-19 cases in the country continues to decline, with 160 new cases reported last week, with Santiago being the province with the most reported cases, with 91 infections detected, followed by Esperat , with 23 cases.
The national zone did not report any new cases this week, and the province of Santo Domingo reported seven new cases.
Bulletin number 1120, corresponding to the 33rd week of epidemiology, reported 152 active virus cases; the weekly positive rate was 7.75%, and the cumulative positive rate for four weeks was 5.89%. The country has a total of 670,213 confirmed cases and 4,384 deaths.