Czech public health officials call for prevention of infectious diseases after the floods, free hepatitis vaccinations distributed in Ostrava-Přívoz
After the recent floods which hit the Moravian-Silesian and Olomouc Regions of the Czech Republic, public health officials are warning of the increased risk of infectious diseases spreading. The Regional Public Health Authorities, in collaboration with the Infectious Medicine Society, have published some recommendations for how to minimize the risk of infection while cleaning up after the floods.
The floodwaters contained many contaminants, including dead animals and fecal matter, which can lead to the spread of dangerous infections such as bacillary dysentery, hepatitis A, and leptospirosis.
“Anything that has come into contact with the floodwater can be a source of infection, and not just of hepatitis A, leptospirosis or bacillary dysentery, but also other diarrheal diseases, inflammation of the kidneys or infections of the skin. These are just further stressors on an already-exhausted organism, which is why it is so important to pay attention to preventing infection,” emphasized Pavel Dlouhý, an infectious disease expert and chair of the Infectious Medicine Society at the Jan Evangelista Purkyně Czech Medical Society. Those most at risk of infection are children, the chronically ill, and senior citizens. Infections can manifest with a delay after floods once the cleanup of the damage gradually gets underway.
The basis of preventing such infection is to strictly uphold hygiene principles. Public health officials recommend carefully washing hands with soap and water or using an alcohol-based disinfectant. Only water that has been approved for consumption should be drunk and bottled water should be used if there is even the slightest doubt about a water source. No groceries which have been submerged should be consumed. When cleaning up it is necessary to wear personal protective equipment – gloves, sturdy shoes and, where necessary, protective goggles or a respirator.
“The flood swept everything it went through along with it, including fecal matter, or dead animals. That’s why it’s necessary to understand that the equipment of your flooded household, including the furniture, the dishes or toys, is a possible source of germs, and to proceed according to the hygiene rules,” warned Zuzana Babišová, director of the Moravian-Silesian Regional Public Health Authority.
Lenka Pešáková, director of the Olomouc Regional Public Health Authority, also warned the public not to underestimate the health problems which can manifest with a delay after floods. “If you have breathing problems, digestive problems, purulent abrasions, rashes or a fever, it is necessary to contact a doctor and inform him that you have been in the flood zone,” she said.
The Regional Public Health Authorities are on increased alert and are aiding individuals and municipalities which have been struck by the floods. Public health representatives visited the hardest-hit municipalities during the weekend of 21 September to provide advice about how to protect health and checked the quality of well water free of charge. In Ostrava, preventive vaccination against hepatitis A was begun.
“The Regional Public Health Authority has assessed the epidemiological situation in the given locality in Ostrava-Přívoz and issued measures of a general nature on Friday [20 September] which made it possible to vaccinate all persons who had been evacuated from that area free of charge,” Babišová said.
Health care workers from the Ostrava City Hospital, the Ostrava Teaching Hospital and the Health Institute headquartered in Ostrava are aiding with the vaccination effort. It is not happening across the board throughout the entire territory that was flooded, rather, public health officials are selecting specific localities on the basis of risk assessments.
“Yesterday there were 110 persons vaccinated in Přívoz, including many employees of firms there and 26 children. It’s important that children be vaccinated first and foremost. The vaccination will continue until Saturday,” local NGO director Kumar Vishwanathan said on Friday, 20 September.
Vaccination of adults and children was underway in Ostrava-Přívoz on Thursday, 26 September in Jílová Street between 8:00 and 13:00. On Friday, 27 September it was scheduled to take place in three locations: From 8:00 to 9:30 at Božkova 65, from 9:40 to 11:00 in the parking lot at the intersection of Palackého and Úprkova Streets, and from11:10 to 13:00 on Sv. Čecha Square.
On Saturday, 28 September, vaccinations were scheduled again at Jílová 35 from 8:00 to 13:00. Adult vaccinations were also scheduled at Božkova 65 on Friday, 27 September and on Saturday, 28 September at that same time, 8:00 to 13:00.
