Health measures rolled out at shelters

ALOR SETAR: Comprehensive health and hygiene measures are being introduced at all active temporary relief centres (PPS) in Kedah to prevent the spread of any contagious diseases among flood evacuees.

State health committee chairman Mansor Zakaria said this is to protect and safeguard the affected communities and curb any outbreak of diseases such as cholera.

He said although no cholera infections or any other serious contagious infections have been reported at the centres so far in the state, the proactive measures are necessary, particularly during times of natural disasters like floods, where a large number of people are housed in a closed environment.

He also said during the floods, health officers were deployed to all the active PPS to conduct medical checks on the evacuees to identify if anyone showed signs or symptoms of any illness.

“We want to make sure that any potential health risks are promptly addressed.

“The Social Welfare Department (JKM) together with the medical teams also provided continuous guidance to flood victims at the centres to make sure they complied with safety protocols such as maintaining personal hygiene and minimising risk of disease transmission,” he said, adding that the Civil Defence Force (APM) personnel helped enforce the safety protocols.

He said face masks and hand sanitisers were among the first items handed out to the evacuees when they came in.

Mansor said the main concern was to prevent the outbreak of contagious diseases such as measles, Covid-19, and other infectious illnesses that can spread rapidly in crowded environments.

“Those individuals with pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure were also given attention with follow-up care and medication being provided to ensure that they receive the necessary treatment while staying at the relief centres,” he said.

He also reminded flood victims who have since returned to their homes to continue practising high hygiene standards, especially when cleaning their homes following the aftermath of floods.

“They should also continue drinking only bottled or boiled water and consume food thoroughly cooked as contaminated water and food causes flood victims to contract water-borne diseases,” he added.

There were 40 PPS centres opened in Kedah when the floods happened in the state in the middle of September with some 5,000 evacuees.

As of yesterday, only one PPS remains open in the Kubang Pasu district with 154 evacuees as the flood situation in Kedah has improved.

A state APM spokesman said the remaining evacuees are from affected areas such as Kg Nangmah, Kg Belakang Sekolah Dato Kembara, Kg Kubang Kayu, Kg Paya Nongmi and Kg Belukar.

He said Kg Paya Lantau, Kg Bendang Tok Leh and Kg Padang Halban are still affected by the floods.

High water levels of the rivers at Kg Padang Pasir, Sungai Kedah, Sungai Anak Bukit and Sungai Anak Kerbau were recorded as of yesterday.

The spokesman also advised residents, especially those living in low-lying areas, to be more alert and to follow the updates by local authorities.