Health ministry concern about disease spread now that storm has passed

The Ministry of Health & Wellness is encouraging members of the public to take several precautions following the passage of the tropical storm.

According to weather experts with Jamaica just feeling the effects of tropical storm, there are still some concerns lingering in the air.

Health officials explained that heavy rainfall can contaminate water sources for drinking, cooking, and bathing. 

This can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, leptospirosis, and hepatitis A. 

Increased rainfall can also lead to more mosquito eggs hatching, which can increase the number of mosquitoes that can spread viruses like dengue

Storms can also cause people to be displaced, which can lead to crowded living conditions that can spread diseases.

The health ministry said some tips to minimise these issues are as follows:

 All garbage should be properly bagged, tied and stored until collected. Punch holes in the bottom of the tins to avoid water collection and dispose of containers as soon as possible. Cover tightly all drums, barrels, tanks, and buckets that are storing water for use. If thecontainer cannot be covered, pour cooking oil to cover the surface of the water. Get rid of all old tyres, tins, bottles, plastic containers, coconut shells and anything in which rainwater can settle.

CONTROLLING THE SPREAD OF INFECTIONViruses are transmitted through droplets that are circulated primarily when a person sneezes and coughs.

To reduce the spread of infection:• Cover nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing to reduce the spread of droplets andtherefore infection.• Observe good hand cleansing practices.• Hands should be washed regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizercan be used.• It is important that the hand sanitizer is not used to replace hand washing. Therecommendation is that after three uses of the hand sanitizer, the hands should be washedwith soap and water, the release from the ministry outlined.