Public health experts have warned of occurrence of water-borne epidemic in the flood affected areas across the nation.
The experts have said that the floods of this year's monsoon have mainly affected the human population in urban and rural settlements affecting over 6million people in the Tarai region which could trigger epidemic.
The health experts have urged the government to begin preparation for such scenario.
Former Director General at the Health Service Department, Dr BD Chatauth, pointing out that the water & food-borne epidemic are likely to occur 24 hours after the disaster, said, "We should be prepared for possible epidemic." He further said that the government should set up medical camps along with medicines in the flood affected areas.
Likewise, the experts have pointed out an epidemic of diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and jaundice among other food-and-water-borne diseases adding that pest-borne diseases like malaria, chikungunya could follow in the later days.
Similarly, Former Director at Epidemiology and Disease Control Division Dr GD Thakur said, "There is a high chance that water-borne diseases could engulf the flood-affected areas within 24 hours. Measures to provide nutritious food, clean water and proper management of toilets should be carried at the camps."
Meanwhile, Epidemiology and Disease Control Division director Bhim Acharya said that the division has not yet received reports of such situation and there is no need to be concerned regarding an epidemic as of now.
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