To simply say that Metro Manila residents and those who live in nearby provinces were caught unaware when Typhoon Ondoy came would be a gross understatement. Floods covered a large portion of its cities in a matter of minutes, leaving thousands of houses submerged in foul-smelling water. The same is true when Typhoon Pepeng ravaged provinces in Northern and Central Luzon.

To date, there are still many Filipinos living in areas covered in water. There are also those whose houses still bear remnants of the mud and debris that the floods have left behind. But beyond the damage it wrought in our communities and houses, how else can floods affect us? 

Health issues

Floods are common health hazards in the Philippines. “Children are especially vulnerable to environmental [risks] that may be present in the aftermath of flooding,” states Joy Ty-Sy, M.D., a pediatrician holding clinic at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan. “Children are in a critical period of development when toxic exposures can have profound negative effects. This is unfortunate since their exploratory behavior often places them in direct contact with materials that adults would [normally] avoid.”

Furthermore, Dr. Ty-Sy warns that floodwaters may contain fecal material from overflowing systems as well as agricultural and industrial by-products. “Although skin contact with flood water does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, there is some risk of [contacting] diseases from eating or drinking anything contaminated with flood water,” she clarifies.

Playing it safe

Dr. Ty-Sy reminds that it is critical for people to practice basic hygiene during emergency periods. Ensure the safety of your family, especially babies and children, from flood-borne diseases by doing these things:

1. Wash up
Wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected:
•After wading through floodwaters
•Handling objects that are contaminated with floodwater or sewage water
•After participating in flood cleanup activities
•After cleaning a flooded area like the garage or your own home

2. Wound Care
As a rule, you should not dip an open wound in dirty water. The bacteria in the water can infect the wound. If you did not have any choice, keep open cuts or sores that have been exposed to flood water clean by washing them well with soap to control infection. If a wound becomes red or swels, clean it with povidone iodine or hydrogen peroxide. Then, apply a topical antibacterial cream and seek immediate medical attention.

3. No playing
Do not allow children to play in areas where there are floodwaters or play with toys that were possibly contaminated with floodwater. If they held one, immediately ask them to wash their hands and remind them not to put their hands into their mouths.  “Remember, clean hands save lives!” stresses Dr. Ty-Sy.

Toys that have been caught in the floods must be washed and disinfected before they are played with. It is not enough to just let it dry. Other toys like stuffed animals and foam-made toys must already be thrown away.

4. Sterilize your water
Make sure your drinking water is safe for consumption. Treating water with chlorine tablets, iodine tablets, or liquid bleach will not kill all parasites that can contaminate water. Boiling for at least 10 minutes or appropriate filtration of water is needed at this point.

Sanitizing the home

After the waters have receded, your home will not be fully-habitable unless it has been thoroughly cleaned. Here are some tips:

1. In cleaning, use regular unscented household bleach for cleaning. “Read and follow the safety instructions on the label. Never mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner. Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, and eye protection. Try not to breathe bleach fumes. Open windows and doors to get fresh air.”

2. For surfaces where food is often placed either for consumption or preparation like countertops, flatware, and plates, do the the following: wash with soap, rinse with clean water, and then sanitize using a mixture of one teaspoon bleach diluted in one gallon of water. Allow items to air- dry. Don't use water-soaked wooden cutting boards, baby bottle nipples, and pacifiers.

3. For other surfaces that do not absorb moisture but have also been touched by floodwaters, sanitize using one cup or 240ml of bleach in one gallon of water. Examples of these surfaces are floors, walls, stoves, sinks, certain toys, tools and food cans that are not bulging, open, or damaged.

4. Discard all items that are beyond washing and disinfecting like mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, rugs, upholstered furniture, cosmetics, stuffed animals, baby toys, pillows, foam-rubber items, books, wall coverings, and most paper products.

5. Thoroughly clean all hard surfaces (flooring, concrete, molding, wood and metal furniture, appliances, sinks, and other plumbing fixtures) with hot water and laundry or dish detergent.

6. Wash all clothes worn during the cleanup in hot water and detergent. Wash  separately from uncontaminated clothes and linens. Bring clothes and linens to a Laundromat for washing until your onsite waste water system has been professionally inspected and serviced.

8. Keep children and pets out of the affected areas until cleanup has been completed. Children, even teens, whenever possible, should not be involved in cleanup efforts. They should be the last group to return to areas impacted by flooding.

9. Remember to wash your hands with soap and warm water (boil it for one minute and let cool first before using) after cleanup. Seek immediate medical attention if you get injured or fall ill.

According to Dr. Ty-Sy, many illnesses, contaminants, and injuries can be water-, sanitation-, or hygiene-related. “Waterborne diseases are caused by organisms that are directly spread through water,” she explains. “These can be acquired due to lack of water for good hygiene, lack of sanitation, or increasing insect populations that breed in water and then spread disease.