Relationship between Flood and Infectious Diseases

Background

Water or a combination of two chemical elements Hydrogen (H) and Oxygen (0) into the H20
molecule, as one of the staples of human life and nature. The forms consist of steam, solid and
liquid. Water has a very important role and value for human survival. Lack of water (drought)
will be disastrous and catastrophic for life, if drought occurs then nature will be arid and life
on it will also be stopped because it will cause water shortages (dehydration) in living things.
Rain becomes something that is coveted in this condition. However, the abundant and large
amount of rain will also be a disaster. High rainfall and unsupportive environmental conditions
(deforested forest, lack of drainage) will bring floods.

Changes or environmental damage due to rain or flood will bring the next disaster, which is
the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. The spread of infectious diseases is influenced
by environmental health factors, public awareness, and health services. Infectious diseases that
will emerge and spread in the rainy season and flood are acute respiratory infections (ARI),
Dengue Fever, diarrhea, leptospirosis, malaria, skin diseases, and can also bird flu (Avian
Influenza = AI). Malaria and Dengue Fever will generally reach the peak of the cycle in the
rainy season each year. While other diseases will appear after the flood due to environmental
damage due to flooding.

Some of these diseases are animal-based diseases such as Dengue Fever, malaria, leptospirosis,
and bird flu. Transmission of Dengue Fever and malaria through mosquitoes so that it will
directly affect water, rain and flooding as a place to live for mosquito breeding. Leptospirosis
is caused by Leptospira bacteria that live in the body (kidney) of rats and will be transmitted
through urine from infected mice and will enter the human body through wounds, and this
process will be fast when urine drift and dissolves carried in water during flooding. Bird flu is
caused by avian influenza viruses, which live in the bodies of mammals and animals, mostly
in poultry. Recent research also states that flies can also transmit bird flu. Transmission occurs
when there is contact with mucus fluid and infected poultry droppings either directly or through
the air. If there is a flood, the risk of contracting will be higher because the mucus liquid and
feces from infected birds dissolve and are carried by flood water, while the nature of the bird
flu virus itself will be able to last for a month in water.