The Department of Health has reported this Friday of two probable cases of leptospira, in the absence of confirmation by the results of the corresponding analyzes, in two people who have voluntarily carried out cleaning or debris removal tasks in two municipalities affected by dana.
Both present good clinical progress and one of them is admitted to a hospital, according to the Generalitat, which explains that leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that can be contracted through contact with flood waters, wet soil or sludge contaminated with urine or animal tissues. infected, with rats being the most frequent causes.
There is antibiotic treatment to combat this infection and in most cases mild symptoms such as fever, general malaise and muscle pain occur. Leptospirosis stands out as one of the main risks after floods. These bacteria can enter the body through skin or mucosal lesions, affecting both people who live in the affected areas and those involved in cleaning and rescue work. However, it is not transmitted between humans.
The first risk assessment
The Ministry of Health has precisely carried out the first assessment of the risk of infections and other diseases after the floods. The document, in which technicians from the Generalitat and the Ministry of Science have also participated, establishes a “moderate” risk of leptospirosis for the population of the affected areas “since the accumulation of garbage, debris and food remains favors an increase in rodent populations, reservoir of the disease, thus increasing the probability of transmission.” However, the impact of the disease is “low or moderate” because there is an effective treatment available.
The Ministry of Health insists on the importance of observing the symptoms of people exposed to flooded areas or who have participated in cleaning tasks in the affected municipalities and going to the health point if necessary. Among the symptoms to take into account are high and persistent fever, severe diarrhea or vomiting, severe abdominal pain or yellowing of the skin and/or eyes.
Additionally, you should also look for dark urine, persistent cough or difficulty breathing, red or purple skin rashes that may indicate bleeding under the skin, severe headache or stiff neck, confusion, disorientation, or agitation. . Likewise, special attention must be paid to open wounds or lesions, especially if they show signs of infection (redness, swelling, discharge or pain).
A line of financing for mental health
Minister Mónica García also announced this Friday that she is preparing a specific line of financing for mental health aimed at those affected by DANA because the psychological damage it generates can appear in a different way and become more significant as the months go by. García has used his account on the social network medium-term support.”
In parallel, the Ministry’s Mental Health Commissioner has sent some recommendations to mitigate, as far as possible, the emotional impact of the catastrophe. Among them, the population is advised not to isolate themselves and to maintain contact with family and neighbors, while avoiding exposure to overinformation and bad information. It is also recommended to maintain routines as much as possible, establish times for eating, resting and doing other activities as much as possible to provide “some stability in difficult times.” The Ministry asks to pay special attention to the care of children and the elderly, who are advised to provide “emotionally safe” activities and environments.
Regarding the general recommendations addressed to citizens, remember to wash your hands very well with soap and water, use a mask, gloves, eye protection and appropriate long-sleeved clothing when cleaning the affected areas, as well as not consume food in contact with flooded soils. When cleaning houses, it is recommended to open the windows and doors to ventilate, remove all wet belongings, stagnant water, mud and clay, clean the walls and floors and disinfect with bleach.
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