Medical teams work to contain spread of disease, infections among flood survivors in northwestern Pakistan

By: Mahmood Iqbal, September 3, 2010

PESHAWAR - As flood waters begin to recede in northwestern Pakistan, International Medical Corps health care professionals are stressing the need for preventive measures to reduce the dangers of typhoid or hepatitis outbreaks.

“Possibilities of other waterborne diseases, like typhoid and hepatitis A and E, can occur if clean water and proper sanitation are not available to the people”, warned Sonia Walia, International Medical Corps regional coordinator for Asia, noting that lack of clean water for drinking and cooking cause acute watery diarrhea among the flood victims. Typhoid, hepatitis and cholera can thrive in such unhygienic conditions.

Because health awareness is limited in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan, International Medical Corps’ relief work includes health and hygiene education. “Our mobile teams have health educators, who provide education sessions on the benefits of following appropriate hygiene practices. This is not only about preventing common diseases but also following good health practices in general”, Walia said.

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