Cholera,dengue threaten Mexican flood victims
Friday, 9 November 2007
VILLAHERMOSA, (Mexico), Nov 8 (Reuters): Tens of thousands of Mexicans forced into makeshift shelters by massive flooding are threatened by ailments ranging from colds to cholera, health officials said on Wednesday.
About 80,000 people from the flooded city of Villahermosa have taken refuge in crammed schools, churches and a multistory parking garage.
Colds, respiratory illnesses and foot fungus have become common, and doctors in the tropical city fear outbreaks of more serious diseases like cholera due to a lack of running water.
"The risk now is infections. There could be an epidemic," said Ramon de Jesus Velarde, the head of Tabasco state preventive health program. He said cholera and dengue fever were the main threats.
Standing water attracts mosquitoes, which can carry infectious diseases such as dengue. Cholera is transmitted by contaminated water.
Days of heavy rains last week put most of Tabasco state, including the capital Villahermosa, under several feet of water, in one of the largest natural disasters in recent Mexican history.
Swarms of mosquitoes buzzed around the head of Leticia Frias, 40, as she herded livestock in a field turned into a swamp on the outskirts of the city.
"We're worried about the flies now that pools of water have formed," said Frias, who has sheltered in a wooden hut at the roadside for the last eight days after her home was flooded.
Interior Minister Francisco Ramirez said fumigation of waterlogged areas would start in the next few days to reduce the risk of diseases.
"They will be beginning work in the next few days to fumigate all the areas that are now under water," Ramirez told a news conference in Villahermosa on Wednesday evening.
The floods, caused by rivers overflowing after heavy rain, killed at least three people and damaged about $655 million worth of crops, homes, businesses and infrastructure.
A further four people were killed, and 21 others were missing, in the remote village of Juan de Grijalva, in neighboring Chiapas state, after the village was hit by a huge mudslide more than half a mile (1 km) long.
About 80,000 people from the flooded city of Villahermosa have taken refuge in crammed schools, churches and a multistory parking garage.
Colds, respiratory illnesses and foot fungus have become common, and doctors in the tropical city fear outbreaks of more serious diseases like cholera due to a lack of running water.
"The risk now is infections. There could be an epidemic," said Ramon de Jesus Velarde, the head of Tabasco state preventive health program. He said cholera and dengue fever were the main threats.
Standing water attracts mosquitoes, which can carry infectious diseases such as dengue. Cholera is transmitted by contaminated water.
Days of heavy rains last week put most of Tabasco state, including the capital Villahermosa, under several feet of water, in one of the largest natural disasters in recent Mexican history.
Swarms of mosquitoes buzzed around the head of Leticia Frias, 40, as she herded livestock in a field turned into a swamp on the outskirts of the city.
"We're worried about the flies now that pools of water have formed," said Frias, who has sheltered in a wooden hut at the roadside for the last eight days after her home was flooded.
Interior Minister Francisco Ramirez said fumigation of waterlogged areas would start in the next few days to reduce the risk of diseases.
"They will be beginning work in the next few days to fumigate all the areas that are now under water," Ramirez told a news conference in Villahermosa on Wednesday evening.
The floods, caused by rivers overflowing after heavy rain, killed at least three people and damaged about $655 million worth of crops, homes, businesses and infrastructure.
A further four people were killed, and 21 others were missing, in the remote village of Juan de Grijalva, in neighboring Chiapas state, after the village was hit by a huge mudslide more than half a mile (1 km) long.