[FINAL v6] PDF 2014- 2015 Malaysia Floods

Number of Cases
3.6.2 VECTOR-BORNE DISEASES
Floods may indirectly lead to an increase in vector-borne diseases through the
expansion in the number and range of vector habitats. Standing water caused by
heavy rainfall or overflow of rivers can act as breeding sites for mosquitoes. The risk
of outbreaks is greatly increased by complicating factors such as changes in human
25iarrhea25 (increased exposure to mosquitoes while sleeping outside, a temporary
pause in disease control activities, overcrowding), or changes in the habitat which
promote mosquito breeding (landslide, deforestation, river damming and rerouting).
The incidence of dengue fever in Pahang were already showing increasing trend
toward the end of year 2014 until the early of 2015. This finding was repeatedly
observed during the same period every year resulted from the similar annual
weather pattern. Flooding may initially flush out mosquito breeding, but it comes
back when the waters recede.
Figure 3: Number of Dengue Cases by Epidemiology Weeks 2014 till week 6 of 2015
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Epid week
There was no significant difference in the number of other infectious diseases such
as acute gastroenteritis, malaria, typhoid fever, cholera cases before and after the
flood. This is because of the concerted effort in prevention activities done by health
staffs. They educate the community on good personal hygiene practice, ensure safe
food preparation techniques, ensure boiling or chlorination of drinking water and
importance of seeking early treatment if they fall sick. The surveillance of infectious
diseases is continuing after flood to detect any risk of an outbreak.
The people affected by the flood are at risk of acute malnutrition if there is lack of
access to appropriate and adequate food during flood or after flood. Infants from 6
months onwards and older children need hygienically-prepared and easy-to-eat,
digestible foods that nutritionally complement breast feeding. The affected people
especially children are at risk of getting food waterborne diseases such as diarrhea,
dysentery, cholera, hepatitis A and typhoid fever. Severely infected children may be
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