Contaminated Water and Food Affecting Children’s Health in Post-Rain Chennai

After the recent heavy rains and flooding in Chennai, a surge in children seeking medical attention has been reported due to complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pediatricians attribute these symptoms to the contamination of water and food in the aftermath of the cyclone. The director of Kanchi Kamakoti CHILDS Trust Hospital, Janani Sankar, notes a significant increase in cases, with nearly 80 to 100 children daily reporting these symptoms over the last few days.

The medical community emphasizes the importance of avoiding eating out for at least two weeks and boiling water, including packaged drinking water, for safe consumption. While the symptoms are generally mild, experts caution about potential complications, including typhoid, urging the consumption of boiled and cooked food and warm water.

Preventive measures, such as vaccination against waterborne diseases and protection from air and contact-borne infections, are advised. Additionally, schools are urged to maintain dry environments and consider the well-being of students returning after the disruption caused by the floods.