Natural disasters often create severe impacts on a place and its people. They are forced to suffer physical and mental stress or agony which might even affect their future life. Those who survived the deadly landslides in Wayanad's Chooralmala and Mundakkai are currently in the relief camps as they have lost everything. They are unable to feel a sense of relief or comfort as most of them have lost their family members, their homes or their savings. Now, they are facing the threat of many communicable diseases too that can spread rapidly when lots of people live in congested spaces and poor living conditions, like relief camps. It is important to prevent such diseases to ensure the health and well-being of those who are in the relief camps. Until recently, diseases like viral fevers, meningitis, cholera and Nipah had been widely reported across Kerala. Dr. Vinod P, consultant of general medicine at Kottayam General Hospital spoke to Manorama Online recently about various health crises that could happen at the relief camps and ways to combat them.

What to do to stay safe
Infectious or communicable diseases could easily spread in relief camps as large groups of people live in a small area. All kinds of infectious diseases that spread through water or air could be dangerous. During the monsoon, severe respiratory diseases like H1N1 and COVID-19 that are spread through the air become common. These diseases spread easily and sometimes could be dangerous too. Not just H1N1 or COVID-19, but even the common cold could be spread through air. The best way to prevent such diseases is to wear masks at all times.
Water-borne diseases like dysentery, jaundice and typhoid too could wreak havoc. Maintaining personal hygiene is the best way to prevent these diseases. Washing the hands well using soap before and after eating food is important. Besides, the plates and other utensils should be cleaned using soap. There should be proper latrines for defecation and urination. Defecating or urination in open areas could increase the risk of communicable diseases. Moreover, you should wash your hands using soap after using the latrine. Boiled water should be distributed for drinking in the camps.

Those who have been injured in the landslide should consult the doctors in the camp to seek treatment for the wounds and other injuries. The wounds might get infected if they come in contact with mud, dirt or polluted water.
Special attention and care must be given to those who suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure and diseases related to heart, kidney and liver. If they have medicines with them, then they should be taken as per the prescription. In case you do not have the medicines or the prescription, you should consult the doctor, and take the necessary tests and medicines. People staying in the relief camps shouldn’t hide their illnesses or symptoms from the doctors or the camp officials. 

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