The Odisha Health and Family Welfare Department has issued a detailed post‑flood health advisory urging residents in affected areas to take strict precautions against water‑borne diseases, especially diarrhoea, and the heightened risk of snakebites.
To prevent diarrhoea, the advisory recommends drinking only boiled water cooled after 30 minutes or treating one litre of water with a halogen tablet before consumption. People have been asked to wash hands with soap before eating and after using toilets, avoid open defecation, and refrain from eating food sold in unhygienic conditions.
Residents have been cautioned not to use tube wells or wells submerged by floodwater until properly disinfected. The department advised contacting the nearest water supply engineer for purification assistance.
Highlighting the increased risk of snakebites, officials urged people to remain vigilant while moving through floodwater and to use mosquito nets when sleeping on the floor. Those venturing out at night should stay alert and avoid dark, cluttered areas.
In case of snakebite, the advisory strictly warns against traditional or local treatments, urging immediate transfer of the patient to the nearest hospital, where anti‑snake venom injections are available free of cost.
The department also advised anyone feeling unwell to consult an ASHA worker, health worker, or doctor without delay.
Officials emphasised that following these guidelines is crucial to prevent disease outbreaks and save lives during the post‑flood recovery period.
