Flood water poses health risks UAE doctors say

One of the underpasses on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road is still flooded. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

ABU DHABI // In the aftermath of Wednesday’s storm, doctors warned of an increased risk of diseases caused by climatic conditions or stagnant flood water.

They said diseases such as hepatitis A and typhoid, as well as skin conditions and stomach complaints could be exacerbated by the water.

Dr Srinivasa Rao Polumuru, a specialist in internal medicine at NMC Hospital in Dubai, said: “The rains might cause diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pain, gastroenteritis and respiratory illness.

“There are more chances of pneumonia and typhoid and hepatitis A.”

He advised people to stay indoors during the rainstorms, maintain good hand hygiene and avoid any contact with floodwater.

Dr Polumuru also advised against eating food prepared outside, because this increased the chances of hepatitis A from contaminated water.

The wet weather also caused a spate of asthma and respiratory tract infections, doctors said.

Dr Abdel Kamel, consultant pulmonologist at Al Noor Hospital, said on Wednesday: “The weather is extreme and the most important thing is to limit exposure to storm conditions.

“Wear a mask and proper covered clothing if you’re heading out in the storm. Take annual vaccinations. If you’re asthmatic, don’t go out in the storm.”

Asthma sufferers are not more likely to catch a virus than others, but when they do, their illness tended to be more severe owing to their sensitive bronchial system, Dr Kamel said.

There had also been an outbreak of the common cold.

“Symptoms can last from 24 hours to four weeks,” he said.

Dr Anas Al Labadidi, consultant in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Tawam Hospital, said that in the past 10 days he had noticed a 40 per cent increase in the number of asthma attacks reported. He said there was also a 50 per cent rise in cases of viral infection.

“In the last week, there were more cases of asthma exacerbations and this is likely to continue. Children and the elderly are more vulnerable.”

Dr Trilok Chand, a specialist in respiratory medicine at Burjeel Hospital, said: “Weather change is a massive threat to asthma patients. Also, people who don’t have asthma are coming in with exacerbations or symptoms such as shortness of breath or cough.”

“We are seeing about 20 of these patients every day. Some with pneumonia,” Dr Chand said.

The doctor said people needed to be careful about going to public places because of the risk of viral infections. He said it was better if people stayed at home.

Dyala Raoufi, 33, an architect in Abu Dhabi, said her five-year-old son and three-year-old daughter had flu.

“I try my best to keep my little ones hydrated with lots of fluids and give them herbal tea in the morning.

“If they show signs of weakness I prefer to keep them home to rest. The weather change is a bit confusing so we always go out with extra clothes or even a warm jumper,” said Ms Raoufi, a Turkish national.

“We stay indoors during a storm. I’m happy Adec took this decision of closing the schools,” she said.