Srinagar, Aug 30 (KNO): In the aftermath of recent floods that struck several areas of Jammu and Kashmir, health experts have urged people to exercise extreme caution while using food and water supplies. They said contaminated sources pose a grave risk of water-borne diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A and E.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), officials said the foremost priority should be access to safe water. They stressed that only clean water should be used for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth.
Sealed and packaged bottled water from a reliable source is the safest option, they added.
Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Anantnag, Dr Khalid Parvez said that in the absence of bottled water, residents should boil water for at least 10 minutes before use, and chlorine tablets or household-grade unscented liquid bleach can be used for disinfection by following recommended instructions.
"If water appears muddy or turbid, it should first be filtered through a clean cloth before boiling or treating," he said, adding that to avoid recontamination, safe water should be stored in clean, covered containers.
Dr Khalid added that hands or unclean objects should never be dipped into stored drinking water; instead, use a ladle or small vessel and drinking water must always be kept separate from water used for washing or cleaning.
Experts warn that food items exposed to floodwater are unsafe and must be discarded immediately.
They said that fruits and vegetables should be thoroughly washed with safe water before consumption, and people must wash their hands with soap and safe water before preparing or eating food, while utensils should be cleaned with safe water before use.
Open wells and surface water sources are at high risk of contamination after floods and submerged wells should not be used until they are properly cleaned, disinfected, and tested, according to health experts.
People have been advised to depend on alternative safe water sources until proper clearance is given. Doctors have urged people to remain vigilant for symptoms of water-borne diseases, and warning signs include diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, or jaundice.
"Anyone showing these symptoms should be taken to medical care immediately. For those suffering from diarrhoea, ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) should be given promptly to prevent dehydration and clean, safe water saves lives. Following these precautions can prevent the spread of deadly diseases after floods," doctors said.
Medical experts have called for strictly adhering to these health and hygiene guidelines, saying this will help avoid a secondary crisis of preventable diseases—(KNO)