RESIDENTS of East Coast Demerara areas affected by flooding as a result of the overtopping caused by Spring Tides are urged to exercise caution and to keep children away from the flood waters since it has been observed that there is livestock rearing in the area.According to the Ministry of Health, the warning is in effect because of the high concentration of animals’ urine in these areas, which when mixed with water, poses the threat of Leptospirosis.

As such the Ministry is advising that if there is need to enter the water, persons should take precautionary measures such as applying Vaseline to their feet or wearing long-boots.

The Ministry, in quickly responding to the situation on Friday, launched an emergency clinic replete with doctors and other ancillary medical staff. That clinic is being operated from the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuco) Better Hope Dispensary Primary Health Care, and manned by a team of five doctors, including two Cubans, and the Director of the Environmental Health Unit, Dr Ashok Sookdeo.

Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran told the Chronicle on Friday that he had been to the affected areas earlier in the day to evaluate the situation and had initially decided to use the Lusignan health centre but later opted to use the GuySuco facility instead because it is closer to the main areas affected by the flood.

He said that based on his assessment, there is no imminent crisis but within two to three days people may start to show signs of flood-related illnesses since these outbreaks usually occur after an incubation period and not right away.

The ministry was also distributing fliers in the flooded areas advising residents on steps that should be taken to ensure the safety of the water they use for drinking purposes and what measures to take to prevent flood-related illnesses.

To keep you and your family in good health, ensure the following steps should be taken every time you prepare food:

* keep food separate and protected from the flood water

* throw away all food that has been in contact with flood water

* before cooking vegetables wash your hands (water treated with bleach)

* wash all fruits with safe water and peel before eating

* do not eat raw vegetables

* cover cooked food from flies

* always wash hands with soap before and after handling food and eating

* cook food thoroughly, eat immediately or refrigerate within two hours.

Also, the following steps can be taken to prevent diarrhoeal diseases:

* Using boiled water or water treated with bleach for drinking, cooking, making ice and brushing teeth

* Wash vegetables with water treated with bleach and peeling before eating

* Wash hands before and after eating meals and after going to the toilet or latrine

The Centre was open Friday and yesterday, and the Ministry said that if the need arises the centre’s operation will be extended, and that similar centres will be opened at Lusignan and at Plaisance.

The main areas affected by the floods are the northern sections of Better Hope, Vryheid’s Lust and Montrose.

Necessary interventions are continuing to mitigate the effects of the current situation in the lower East Coast Demerara villages that have been affected by overtopping caused by the current Spring Tides, as the entire Caribbean Region is confronted by strong tidal wave action during this period.

Those interventions include the placing of sandbags at areas that have been breached by the force of the water, while other efforts are ongoing to ensure that the water drains off quickly.

The overtopping started around 01:30h on Friday morning.