He Ministry of Health has denied this Monday that there is a danger that the DANA fatalities could cause an epidemic. In a statement, the department led by Monica Garcia responds to doubts raised among the population about possible risks that water contamination by human or animal corpses could pose in the area affected by the catastrophe, which has already claimed the lives of more than 200 people. As they emphasize in the writing, “there is no scientific evidence that they are a significant risk of epidemic diseases,” such as cholera or typhus, after a natural disaster.
“The majority of microorganisms do not survive for long in the human body after death,” explains Health, which assures that the infections that could cause this type of problems in Spain “are not epidemic”, and that, in the event that they arise infections “its origin is more likely to come from the survivors themselves”. The Government warns, however, of the possibility that there may be some water or sludge that is contaminated and transmits digestive infections, causing diarrhea or vomiting, and asks anyone affected to contact the authorities and professionals “with specific training” on the matter in the event of any discovery.
Also the president of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazónhas warned of a “possible epidemic” due to stagnant and contaminated waters, and has stated that they are already becoming “the first tetanus vaccines” to volunteers and neighbors. In an interview on the COPE radio station, Mazón has also announced the transfer of PPE material to all the people who are in the points most affected by the storm.
The leader of the Valencian PP has also said that 48 hours ago he asked the Ministry of Health for help to send an “express committee of the best epidemiologists” to assess the situation in the area affected by DANA. Sources from the Ministry of Health confirm to 20 minutes that There are already two people from the Coordination Center for Health Alerts and Emergencies (CCAES) in Valencia.
Follow the recommendations
The authorities are carrying out an analysis of the water to detect diseases early, but the general director of Public Health, Pedro Gullón, has asked in a video sent to the media that, If you have any symptoms, go to a health center “to be able to stop the chain of transmission.” Regarding the bodies that still cannot be removed, Gullón insists that, “right now” and according to the history of similar floods in other countries, they do not pose a greater risk, although it is important that the “removal” of The bodies are produced as soon as possible so that street cleaning can continue.
According to the ministry, Stagnant water does represent a “significant risk” as it can harbor pathogens and “attract disease vectors”, such as mosquitoes, thus increasing the risk of infections once this first phase has passed. For this reason, Health recommends avoiding contact and following the cleaning, food and safety recommendations issued by both the Generalitat Valenciana and the Ministry of Health itself. Recommendations that involve trying to find out which municipalities have drinking water and which are those areas where it is more difficult for the water to be drunk; either avoid all foods that have been in contact with mud or waterand only eat those with closures, such as preserves, after cleaning the product.
For those citizens who have to clean the interior and exterior of their homes, Gullón insists on using all personal protection measures: an eye barrier, a mask, wear long sleeves, gloves, long pants and boots that cover well. And, if you have to go inside the home, try to guarantee ventilation at all times and prevent the most vulnerable people from cleaning.
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