There is no outbreak of diarrheal diseases in Santa Maria, city hall clarifies

This week, residents of Santa Maria had several doubts about the transmission of diseases through waterdue to the problems faced in supply and due to flooded areas in the municipality.

This Wednesday (8), the city council reinforced that there is no outbreak of diarrheal diseases. According to the official statement, no increase in visits to the public health network was recorded in recent days regarding a possible virus, no notifications from other sectors were passed on to the municipal health department or Surveillance.

However, the city council advises that the population in areas affected by flooding prioritize the consumption of mineral water when there is no possibility of adopting care procedures.

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The municipality’s Health Secretary, Ana Paula Seerig, highlights that there was a survey in health units, including in the private network, and it indicates that there is no outbreak of diseases:

– We carried out a survey at the Department of Health on visits for viruses, which result in vomiting and diarrhea, since the beginning of the year to have a comparison of the numbers and no increase was found in the last few days. We also did not receive information from the private health network about an increase in this type of care. As a result, we found that the information shared on the internet is false. In the period we are living in, post-flood, we need to be more careful with our water and food intake, and with some possible diseases, such as leptospirosis. But so far, there is no record of any type of outbreak. Of course, we will continue to monitor these issues and, if necessary, measures will be taken.

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The Riograndense Sanitation Company (Corsan) continues water treatment to supply Santa Maria and the region. Even so, it reinforces post-flood care, as advised the superintendent of Health Surveillance, Alexandre Streb.

State Health Surveillance Center guides

• Avoid contamination by diseases such as leptospirosis, hepatitis A, cholera, accidental tetanus, among others
• Specific care for cleaning the house and water tank
• Specific care regarding water and food consumption

Care that should be taken with drinking water

• Filter the water using a domestic filter. If this is not possible, use a paper strainer or clean cloth
• If it is impossible to filter or strain, reserve or place the water in a clean container and let the dirt settle (go down to the bottom of the container) until the water becomes clear. Then, carefully separate the clean water, place it in another clean container and disinfect with bleach (2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution).
• Add two drops of bleach to a liter of water to inactivate/eliminate disease-causing microorganisms
• Wait 30 minutes to drink the water, the time needed for the hypochlorite to eliminate the microorganisms present in the water
• If there is no bleach (2.5% sodium hypochlorite), filter the water using a household filter, paper strainer or clean cloth and boil it for 5 minutes. Mark the 5 minutes after the start of boiling/boiling
• If you notice any changes in the tap water (such as a different odor and/or color than usual), contact the sanitation company responsible for distributing the water and/or your municipality’s health department.

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​Be careful with food in cases of floods
After a flood or flood it is possible that food is not in suitable condition for consumption. Contaminated food can cause diarrhea, vomiting, fever and, in more serious cases, can lead to death.

​Should not be consumed

• Food with an unusual smell, color or appearance (damp, moldy, withered)
• Foods such as milk, meat, fish, chicken and eggs, raw or undercooked, especially those that have come into contact with flood water
• Spoiled or darkened fruits and vegetables that have come into contact with flood water
• Cooked or refrigerated foods that have been left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, especially meat, chicken, fish and leftover food
• Food with plastic packaging (PET bottles, bagged milk, bagged grains) that has come into contact with flood water must be discarded, even if it has not been opened
• Foods with packaging in cans, plastics and glass that show signs of alteration, such as swelling, crushing, leaking, rust, holes, swollen lids or other damage should be discarded, even if they have not been opened

10 steps to cleaning and disinfecting the water tank
It is recommended that this procedure be followed if the water supply system or water tank has been affected.

1. Close the valve and empty the water tank, opening the taps and flushing
2. When the box is almost empty, close the outlet and use the remaining water to clean the box and prevent dirt from going down the pipe.
3. Scrub the walls and bottom of the box using cloths and a soft brush or sponge. Never use soap, detergent or other products. Rubber gloves and boots must be used to carry out this activity.
4. Remove the dirty water left over from cleaning, using a bucket and cloths, leaving the box completely clean.
5. Let water enter the tank until it is full and add 1 liter of bleach for every 1,000 liters of water
6. Wait for two hours to disinfect the reservoir
7. Empty the box. This water will be used to clean and disinfect pipes, floors and walls.
8. Cover the water tank so that small animals or insects do not enter
9. Note the cleaning date on the outside of the box
10. Finally open the water inlet

Illnesses

Leptospirosis

It is one of the diseases to pay attention to in these periods after floods. It is transmitted through rat urine and occurs through contact with contaminated water or mud. During the rainy season, rivers, streams and sewage systems can overflow. This water invades rat holes (which are found in galleries, landfills, vacant lots and sewers) and reaches homes contaminated, potentially contaminating people. Contact with the skin, mucous membranes or ingestion of contaminated food, liquids and medicines transmits leptospirosis to humans.

Therefore, people who work to clean environments containing mud, debris and sewage must wear rubber boots and gloves to avoid skin contact with contaminated water and mud (if this is not possible, use double plastic bags tied around their hands and on the feet).

After the waters subside, it will be necessary to remove the mud and disinfect the area (always protecting yourself). Floors, walls and countertops must be washed disinfecting with bleach in a proportion of two teacups (400ml) of this product to a 20 liter bucket of water, leaving it to act for 30 minutes.

If, despite these guidelines, the person develops a fever, headache and body aches up to 40 days after coming into contact with flood waters or sewage, it is necessary to immediately seek the nearest health unit. Don’t forget to tell your doctor about your contact with flood water or mud.

Accidental tetanus

Contact with rubble and debris can cause skin injuries and, consequently, accidental tetanus illness. The disease is caused by a bacteria that can be present in metal objects (even if they are not rusty), wood, glass or even in the soil (nails, cans, agricultural tools, broken glass, tree branches, thorns, pieces of furniture and others).

People can become ill when they accidentally suffer skin injuries (wounds, cuts, punctures) from contaminated objects. Therefore, people must protect their hands, arms, feet and legs with gloves and boots when handling debris.

*With information from PMSM