Public Health issues alert to prevent disease outbreaks after flooding

Santo Domingo.- In response to widespread flooding caused by heavy rains across multiple provinces, the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health (MSP), through its Epidemiology Directorate (DIEPI), issued a series of health recommendations to prevent disease outbreaks in affected communities.

Citing alerts from the Emergency Operations Center (COE), the ministry warned of increased risks of diseases such as leptospirosis, cholera, dengue, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal illnesses. Key precautions include avoiding contact with contaminated water, using protective gear like gloves and boots, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, drinking only safe or treated water, thoroughly cooking food, and frequent handwashing.

The ministry also urged residents to seek medical help for symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or muscle pain and to avoid self-medicating. Health personnel are instructed to report any rain-related health incidents through the national surveillance system. Special warnings were issued to parents to keep children away from floodwaters and to those with preexisting conditions to keep medications accessible in case of evacuation.