Beware flood waters

THE EDITOR: With the recent flooding over the last few days, I am quite concerned with the way adults and children are dealing with the excessive amount of water which is very polluted.

We have water in the homes and surroundings that may be contaminated with all types of bacteria and viruses because many waste-disposal systems would have been flooded out.

There are many diseases that strive in contaminated water and, if not dealt, with could prove to be fatal. E coli infection, vibrio illness, cryptosporidiosis, cholera, ringworm infection and leptospirosis are just a few of the dangers that people may become exposed to while moving about in flood waters.

Parents need to be extra careful that children do not see these contaminated waters as places of entertainment or play.

While I do understand that it might take days for the water to go down and people have to continue with their daily duties, it is important that those in flooded areas be extra careful. Prevention is always better than cure and the responsibility lies in the hands of every person.

I would like to suggest that the relevant ministry disseminate information of this nature to the public so that citizens might be advised of the risk and the need to take precaution. Please let us not take it for granted that everyone is informed.

Arnold Gopeesingh, San Juan