Health Advisory: Avoid Wading in The Flood

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The rainy season here in the Philippines started last June and may end up to December. It will practically rain almost half of the year. Of course, with the rainy season comes the typhoons, storms and the perennial flooding of our streets everywhere.

Last June, the Department of Health issued a health advisory to the public to avoid wading in floodwaters because of the rising cases of Leptospirosis in the country.It has been reported that the recorded cases of Leptospirosis from January this year up to 21 May 2011 were 454 cases, yielding a 74.6% higher compared to the same period last year with 260 cases. Thirty-two (32) deaths from the said disease have been recorded this year for the period mentioned, compared to last year’s 8 mortalities.

Leptospirosis is a potentially fatal infectious disease caused by a spirochete. It is transmitted by wild animals and rats through contact with infected soil or water. These infected animals pass out the bacteria in their urine. People contract the disease by either ingesting contaminated food or water or by broken skin and mucous membrane (eyes, nose, sinuses, mouth) contact with the contaminated water or soil. Flooding which is very common here in our country helps spread the bacteria in our environment.

Leptospirosis symptoms begin from two to 25 days after initial direct exposure to the urine or tissue of an infected animal. This can even occur via contaminated soil or water. Veterinarians, pet shop owners, sewage workers, and farm employees are at particularly high risk. People participating in outdoor sporting activities like canoeing, rafting, hiking, and camping can also come into contact with contaminated water or soil.

Leptospirosis is said to be biphasic. The first phase begins with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, muscle pains, intense headache. The patient can become asymptomatic and improve on the 5th to the 9th day. The second phase begins after a few days of feeling well then the patient will have recurrence of the fever and complications may set in. This phase is characterized by a multiorgan involvement – meningitis, liver damage (causing jaundice or yellowing of the skin), and renal failure.

High dose antibiotic therapy is effective if initiated early in the course of the disease. Mortality rates for severe illness with leptospirosis can range from 5%-40%, depending on the severity of organ dysfunction and the patient's general health prior to infection. Most previously healthy patients have a good prognosis and will make a full recovery.

Prevention is better than cure. Avoid wading in flood waters. Wear a protective gear like rubber boots if you have to walk in flooded areas.

Having Problems with Your Flood-Damaged Cars?

Hundreds of cars have been damaged as a result of flood caused by the tropical storm Ondoy (international code name Ketsana).  Flood can really cause havoc to one's car.  Even the partially submerged cars can show signs of corrosion soon than expected.  So if your car has been caught in the flood, just like my sister's car; here are some simple tips that may help protect your car from further damage.

1.  Do not start the engine or attempt to drive it.  Immediately disconnect the battery from the terminals to lessen the damages to the electrical and electronic components.

2.  Determine how long the car was submerged in water and measure the depth of the water that submerged the vehicle.  Identify the kind of flood water that affected the car (whether it was muddy, sandy or clear).  This information may give you a clue as to the extent of damage to the car and will make it easy to determine if the car is salvageable or not.

3.  Check the engine oil indicator thru the engine dipstick.  If the reading is too high, this might mean that there's water present in the engine.

4. Take photos of your damaged car (exterior, interior and engine) before cleaning the car.  These might help in the processing of car insurance claims.

5.  Try to remove as much water as you can if water has seeped inside the car interior.  Have your car towed to the nearest authorized service center.

6.  Make sure that a qualified and an expert technician checks on all mechanical components of the car such as the engine, transmission, brake system, fuel system, steering system and axles for water contamination.

  Check the electrical system, engine computers and other electronic devices of the car.

Remember that corrosion and oxidation can adversely affect the car performance even after all the damaged components have been cleaned.

 

Typhoon Ondoy Victims

The Philippines experienced the heaviest rainfall yesterday as typhoon Ondoy hit the country.  It was a case of "too much rain, too soon" -  it was a month's worth of rain falls in just 6 hours which triggered massive floods.  People were stranded everywhere. People were on top of their roofs waiting to be rescued. 
My sister spent the night in their office with her co-workers while my other sister spent the night at her best friend's house in Quezon City.  A state of calamity was already declared in Metro Manila and in 25 other provinces in Luzon.  Metro Manila was virtually turned into a sea.

My sister's brand new Toyota Avanza  was submerged in the heavy floods.  Grabe! Ang nakakasama ng loob, someone could have driven the car up to the car ramp so that the car would have been elevated  several inches from the ground.  Pero wala- pinabayaan nilang mabaha yung car ng sis ko...