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Health concerns raised as Sri Lankans return home after major floods

Xinhua, May 25, 2016 Adjust font size:

Sri Lankans returning home after being stranded in floods and landslides were urged on Wednesday to be cautious of health issues.

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) said that soon after floods there was a possibility of an increase in vector borne diseases such as dengue, diarrhea (due to the consumption of unclean water) and fever.

The Red Cross requested anyone experiencing any symptoms such as sudden high fever, severe headaches, pain behind the eyes, severe joint and muscle pain, fatigue, nausea, vomiting or severe abdominal or rectal pain to immediately seek medical support and to go see a health professional.

SLRCS is currently assessing the needs of the people for longer term recovery support. Volunteers in the five worst affected districts are visiting welfare camps and houses to speak with people to understand their immediate and longer term needs.

The relief efforts of SLRCS meanwhile continues in the aftermath of flash floods and landslides experienced in the recent days, the SLRC said.

SLRCS also continues to work with authorities to provide welfare for the people who survived a massive landslide in Aranayake in Sri Lanka. As of now 47 bodies have been recovered from two landslide locations and over 180 are still missing.

Meanwhile, aid from various countries continues to pour in and this includes 50,000 U.S. dollars the Red Cross Society of China donated to SLRCS through the Chinese Embassy in Colombo. Endit