Singapore Red Cross commits additional S$170,000 in aid, raises over S$3 million through Nepal floods appeal

The immediate health concern after Nepal's recent flash floods, according to doctors, is the contamination of drinking water and food sources. Floodwater can mix with sewage, animal waste, chemicals, and decaying material, leading to the spread of infections. Symptoms to watch out for include diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, fever, and dehydration.

Food safety becomes crucial, as food that has come into contact with floodwater should be avoided, and proper hand hygiene and food storage practices must be followed. Additionally, gastrointestinal infections such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis A and E can spread through contaminated food and water, making dehydration and loss of electrolytes particularly dangerous, especially for vulnerable groups like young children, older adults, and those with pre-existing medical conditions.

Brief written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.