Floods in Central America
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 Health
authorities in Central America have been deploying field teams for damage
assessment, surveillance, water and sanitation and mental health assessments,
after heavy rains caused flooding and landslides in El Salvador, Guatemala,
Honduras and Nicaragua.
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addition to deaths and injuries, damages to health facilities and equipment and
losses of health supplies have been reported. Respiratory infections as well as
wound and skin infections are being reported from shelters. Standing water is
known to increase mosquito populations, raising concerns in areas that are
already known to have dengue. Gastroenteritis and leptospirosis are endemic in
all four countries and flooding and displacement are expected to cause an
increase in the number of cases of these diseases.
Preventive measures for the population include hand washing with water
and soap or ash before preparing food, eating or feeding children and after
defecating or handling the waste of children or people who are sick. | PAHO EOC Situation Reports |  | Country Profiles | Technical Information on Floods
For technical information on floods and its impact on health, please go to:
Read more... | WHO Technical Notes on Drinking-water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Emergencies
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Links in the Countries
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