Temporary accommodation in RS is prone to the emergence of outbreaks, says doctor

You temporary accommodation created in the state of Rio Grande do Sul for people left homeless by the effects of floods, they are spaces prone to the emergence of infectious disease outbreaks second Rosana Richtmann from the Emilio Ribas Institute, and director of the Immunization Committee of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases.

“Everyone is poorly housed, in an extremely small place, so we are already seeing outbreaks of scabies, which is scabies, and pediculosis, which is lice. Things that have to do with another problem, which is that you crowd a lot of people in one place,” she said.

The statement was given in an interview with the doctor Roberto Kalil in the program CNN Vital Signs – Dr. Kalil Interview this week, which will be aired at 7:30 pm on Saturday (1st) .

The doctor also highlighted that the cold period also leads to the appearance of respiratory diseases such as flu and Covid-19. Diseases with a longer incubation period in the human body are also among the main risks, she said, such as leptospirosis, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid fever.

This week's Vital Signs program will address the risks of the proliferation of infectious diseases in RS, which are increasing every day.

In addition to Richtmann, the former Secretary of Health of the state of São Paulo David Uip also participates in the program.

Doctors explain that health problems in RS can be divided into three phases:

1. Relationship with contaminated water: diarrheal diseases and gastroenteritis;
2. Relationship with crowds in shelters; and the
3. Dengue.

“We hope there will be fewer cases of dengue due to the temperature, but, on the other hand, there is the summer,” says Uip, referring to the meteorological phenomenon of intense heat during the winter that occurs in southern Brazil. “It’s summer and still water. So we have to prepare to deal with dengue.”

Uip and Richtmann also highlight the importance of health authorities carrying out rabies prophylaxis in the population and animals.

The situation is worrying, mainly due to the low level of adherence to vaccination coverage in Rio Grande do Sul. “We shouldn't be talking about tetanus [por exemplo]is a preventable, triple viral disease”, explains Uip.

According to him, many of the diseases that currently appear in the state due to the rain tragedy can be prevented by vaccines that are available through the SUS, which, at a time like this, would help to reduce the number of patients and minimize the impact on the health system. health, which is extremely damaged.