By NewsDesk  @bactiman63

The Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MISPAS), through its General Directorate of Epidemiology (DIGEPI) issued an epidemiological alert this Saturday due to the risk of increased diseases in the populations affected by the rains and floods.

Dominican Republic
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It emphasizes that the purpose of the preventive alert is to draw the attention of the entire population, mainly those that have been affected or displaced, in order to prevent outbreaks or the spread of diseases such as dengue, malaria, leptospirosis, gastrointestinal, among other respiratory or contagious infections such as COVID-19.

This alert also aims to strengthen the surveillance system for notifiable diseases (ENO) related to these events and establish response, control and prevention measures in the event of disease outbreaks.

MISPAS explains that according to the meteorological bulletin issued by the National Meteorological Office (ONAMET), cloudy weather is expected from morning hours accompanied by very strong downpours locally, electrical storms and gusts of wind.

While the Emergency Operations Center (COE) declares 21 provinces on alert, 12 in yellow (La Altagracia, Hato Mayor, El Seíbo, Semana, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, Monseñor Nouel, San Cristóbal, San Pedro de Macorís, Monte Cristi, Santo Domingo and National District).

Thus, 9 provinces (Puerto Plata, Santiago, Valverde, Santiago Rodríguez, San Juan, La Vega, Duarte, María Trinidad Sánchez and Azua) are also on green alert
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Remember that the Dominican Government issued Decree No. 638-22, which declares the National District and the Santo Domingo province in a state of emergency.

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Given this, the conditions and alert and weather warning remain in force. It also calls for taking into account the saturation of the soil, which can cause greater flooding.

The Ministry of Public Health reminds that exposure to flood water can cause diseases such as wound and skin infections and leptospirosis.

Others, such as gastrointestinal diseases, due to the consumption of contaminated water, those transmitted by vectors such as dengue, malaria, therefore call for the elimination of artefacts that can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

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Other events that increase in the rainy and hurricane season are tetanus, acute respiratory infection, conjunctivitis, and COVID-19.

The Ministry of Public Health instructs the following measures:

Protect drinking water, wash hands after going to the bathroom and before each meal, cook and wash food, fruits and vegetables before consuming.

Also to the Provincial Health Directorates and Health Area Directorates and the National Health Service to give the customary timely response and activate the rapid response mechanisms.