Flooding in the Volta: Public health impact and responses

The flooding in the Volta Region is unprecedented, unimaginable and unthinkable. The ripple effects on public health and the consequences can be very dire. We should anticipate significant increases in disease susceptibility following the floods and adapt public health strategies and responses. Communicable diseases and post-traumatic stress disorders cannot be overlooked. Our public health responses should be aimed at preventing communicable diseases and public health education. Proactive and holistic public health interventions are needed.

An effective Public health emergency preparedness team should be in place by now. The team should at least include experts in public health and infectious diseases, environmental health, mental health, doctors, nurses and risk communication. The team should establish an effective communication channel and engage the media, internet, and create social media channels to disseminate public information in real time.

Each day, we keep hearing conflicting reports on new communities being inundated by the floodwaters with increasing numbers of displaced people. A proper assessment of the affected communities is needed to facilitate public health responses and humanitarian support to the victims. All communities affected by the floods should be properly mapped-out and located. This exercise will give tangible information regarding the geographic areas impacted by the flooding. The Environmental Health Department of the ministry of health or Ghana Health Service should be able to carry out this mapping using appropriate mapping software. The Mapping exercise will provide data regarding rivers and other waterways, flood prone, and most highly impacted areas. Infrastructure damage, including power, drinking water, farmyards, and wastewater systems, will determine the scope of the impacted population. Data on Vulnerable residential areas and demographics of the population disproportionately impacted by the floodwaters including those with special needs should be accounted for, so that we may be in a good position to target public health responses to specific populations. With this data, we can effectively manage one key aspect of effective flood risk management which is improving early warning systems and evacuation plans. Not only will this exercise provide valuable data to respond appropriately to the current flood situation, but will also prepare us to deal with the unpredictable global climate change challenges and its impact in the future.

Response to safe drinking water
According to the Safe Drinking Water Foundation, 80% of illnesses in developing countries result from unsafe drinking water and the spread of waterborne diseases. Worldwide, water related diseases are attributed to approximately 3 million deaths annually. Most of these are children under the age of 5 years whose natural immunity is not well developed to fight some of the water-related diseases. The current flooding situation puts communities at high risk of waterborne diseases.

The Public Health team must inform the affected communities about the potential contamination of drinking water sources. Affected communities must be advised to use precautionary drinking water measures and alternative drinking water sources. For example, the communities should be provided with information on where and when to boil water or use water treatment tablets. The general public and business owners using both privately owned wells and municipal water supply sources must be targeted and advised. It is also very important for the Ghana Water Company Limited to regularly perform assessments to make sure the floodwaters do not leak and contaminate public drinking water supplies.

Food Safety Response
The flooding situation may affect food safety on a broad scale. Interruption and damage to portable water supply by the floodwaters compromises basic sanitation practices such as hand washing, cleaning and sanitization of equipment and utensils. Use of contaminated water as an ingredient in food preparation and beverages is highly possible and should be noted. Generally, food safety is compromised due to contamination from floodwaters. The threat of food borne illnesses is looming. To ensure food safety in affected communities, proper education and risk communication must be provided to households, food venders and the general public. It is very risky for one to swim, drive, drink, brush teeth, or use the floodwater for domestic duties. The floodwater should be considered highly contaminated and exposure to it could lead to wound infection, skin rash, gastrointestinal diseases and tetanus. Downed power lines in floodwater could pose a major risk of electrocution. It is important that authorities take necessary steps to avoid them.

Sheltering location
Shelters for flood victims should first be assessed by the environmental health department to ensure safety. The shelters should have a clinical response centre to provide basic and special medical needs of the community. Medical and nursing staff should be available at the clinic response centre. Coordination with a local health provider is also possible to take care of the special health needs of the community to monitor and report any possible outbreak of disease.

Response to mental health
While relief support is ongoing for the flood victims, mental health of the displaced should be managed carefully. The flooding could have a significant impact on mental health. The loss of homes, possessions, and loved ones can be traumatic and can lead to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Vulnerable groups including Children, pregnant women, physically and mentally challenged should be well accounted for and given special attention. Mental health experts should be available to manage the psychological effects of the flooding on the displaced.

In conclusion, it is important to note that our public health system is as strong as the weakest part. Which means that we will need to protect each other to protect ourselves. The government should not be slow to act in this regard.

Authored by: Ismael Niadawe Issaka (MLS, MPH, RSTMH Fellow)

Email: [email protected]
References

https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/features/flood-safety/index.html
Deb K. A., Kanungoa S., Deba M., & Naira G. B. (2012). Impact of climate change on health and strategies for mitigation and adaptation. WHO South-East Asia Journal of Public Health 1(1):8-19