By IANS,
Lucknow : With the floods receding in many affected districts of Uttar Pradesh, the state health department is now grappling with infectious diseases.
According to a government report, over 800 flood-related deaths have been reported in 4,491 villages of 21 districts since June 1.
“Over 22 lakh (2.2 million) people have been affected by floods and 35,980 families are displaced. It is also estimated that crops worth Rs.169.22 crore (Rs.1.69 billion) are damaged and the total damage is approximately Rs.261.77 crore (Rs.2.61 billion),” it said.
“The major challenge, after the floods, is to clean up the mess left behind by the receding waters, and we are making all possible efforts to start the relief work in coordination with the departments concerned”, Director of Health Department I.S. Srivastava told IANS.
He said medical units have also been established.
Till date 25,000 cases of malaria and 10,000 of diarrhoea have been reported from the flood-hit areas. Other common diseases include dysentery, jaundice, dengue and cerebral malaria.
“Bleaching powder and chlorine tablets are being distributed and the people are being told to purify the drinking water. Pesticides are being sprayed to control mosquitoes,” Srivastava added.
Pamphlets containing information on prevention of diseases and post-flood cleaning precautions are also being distributed in these areas.
“We have deputed the chief medical officers for this purpose and are also taking the help of school teachers and other prominent educated persons of the affected villages to spread awareness,” he said.