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By: DR. GODSWILL JAMES EKPO
The devastating floods sweeping across many parts of Nigeria are not only destroying homes, roads and livelihoods, they are also creating a dangerous public health emergency that deserves urgent national attention Beyond the visible damage lies a silent but deadly threat: the outbreak of infectious diseases.
As climate change continues to intensify extreme weather events, flooding has become more frequent and severe. Unfortunately, floodwaters are often contaminated with sewage, industrial waste, chemicals, and disease-causing micro-organisms. This creates ideal conditions for the rapid spread of waterborne and vector-borne diseases, putting thousands of lives at risk.
Flood disasters frequently destroy essential infrastructure, displace families, and cut off access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, and healthcare services.
Communities forced into temporary shelters are particularly vulnerable, as overcrowding and poor sanitation significantly increase the likelihood of disease transmission. Many displaced persons also struggle to access routine medical care, further worsening their health conditions.
Emergency responders, healthcare workers, and ambulance personnel are equally exposed. Their efforts to rescue victims often require prolonged contact with contaminated floodwater, increasing their occupational risk of contracting infectious diseases.
Of even greater concern is the growing trend of children and young people swimming or playing in floodwaters, unaware of the serious health dangers involved. What may appear to be harmless fun can expose them to life-threatening infections with long-term health consequences.
Floodwaters contaminated by overflowing fecal liquid can transmit numerous diseases, including viral infections such as hepatitis A, norovirus, and rotavirus. They can also spread bacterial diseases caused by Salmonella enterica, Shigella, and Campylobacter, as well as parasitic infections such as cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis.
Children, the elderly and individuals with weakened immune systems are especially susceptible to severe illness.
A Call for Stronger Policy Action in Uyo-Akwa Ibom State, Calabar-Cross River State, et al:
Protecting public health from erosion-related diseases requires coordinated action before, during, and after flooding. These interventions are boldly classified into four key stages: prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Long-term prevention should include identifying flood-prone communities, implementing flood-sensitive urban planning, expanding green infrastructure, improving drainage systems, upgrading sewer networks, and enforcing environmental regulations that reduce flood risks. These measures must be implemented proactively rather than after disasters occur.
Preparedness involves strengthening water supply and sanitation systems, constructing flood-resilient buildings, establishing well-equipped evacuation centres, and developing comprehensive flood-health emergency plans. Public education campaigns should also become a priority, ensuring citizens understand the health risks associated with floodwaters and know how to protect themselves.
During and after flooding, rapid disease surveillance, access to clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, hygiene supplies, and prompt medical care are critical to preventing disease outbreaks.
Panacea; Protect Yourself and Your Family:
Public health authorities and government at all levels should strictly urge residents in flood-affected communities to:
1. Never swim, play, or wade unnecessarily in floodwater.
2. Keep children away from flooded areas at all times.
3. Drink only safe or properly treated water.
4. Wash hands regularly with clean water and soap.
5. Seek immediate medical attention if symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, fever, skin infections, or jaundice develop after exposure to floodwater.
Floods may eventually recede, but the diseases they leave behind can continue to claim lives long after the water disappears.
As Nigeria grapples with increasingly severe flooding driven by climate change, protecting communities from infectious diseases must become an integral part of disaster management. Saving lives requires more than rescue operations. It demands prevention, preparedness, public awareness, and a collective commitment to safeguarding public health.
The State and Federal governments owe her citizenry the right to a healthy life, right to good living, and taking proactive measures in averting any avoidable catastrophes and iminent pandemic.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
DR. GODSWILL JAMES EKPO is a
Medical Surgeon,
MSc. Emergency Medicine, Family Physician, Ex-COVID 19 Emergency Physician, University of Brescia Teaching Hospital, Italy.
Dirigente Medico; Department of Emergency Medicine Varese Teaching Hospital Italy.
Formerly: SPR Specialty Doctor, Accident and Emergency Medicine department, Wishaw General Hospital, Wishaw, Scotland, U.K.
Ex-C.S.T Coronary Care Unit Bess Ka’ser Medical Center Portland Oregon, USA.
Ex- Research Fellow, Spinal Cord Injury department, Veteran Affairs Hospital /University of Standard Palo Alto, California USA.
Tropical and Infectious Disease postgraduate Training at the University of Brescia Teaching Hospital, Brescia, Italy.
