With outbreak of diarrhea, cases rise 130% in SP – 02/23/2023 – Health

The Government of São Paulo said, this Thursday (23rd), that the state had seen an increase of 130% in cases of diarrheal diseases at the beginning of the year. While from January to February 4, 74 thousand cases were registered, in the same period this year the balance reached 172.7 thousand.

According to the government, the municipalities with the highest number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants are Presidente Prudente, Marília and Araçatuba, all in the interior of São Paulo. Each of them had, respectively, 5,200, 2,900 and 1,100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants.

It is in the midst of the rainy season that the risk of diseases increases, due to the possibility of contact with contaminated water and direct ingestion of water unfit for human consumption. The transmission of diseases can occur mainly during food preparation and personal hygiene.

Symptoms, which can last from a day to a week, include watery diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and fever. If these signs appear, the person should look for a medical unit, warns the government.

The state of São Paulo was not the only one to suffer an outbreak of diarrhea at the beginning of the year.

In January, Santa Catarina recorded 4,500 cases of “acute diarrheal diseases in Florianópolis”, caused by an unwanted passenger and an old acquaintance of cruise travel organizers, the norovirus.

The norovirus was detected in 63% of the stool samples collected by the Municipal Health Department since December 2022. Common in situations that bring together people in situations of close coexistence –such as shared summer homes, excursions, cruises, barracks and the like– the virus is transmitted in the “fecal-oral” way. That is, it leaves an organism through the feces and enters another through the mouth.

HOW TO AVOID DIARRHEA

• Avoid contact with flood waters. If this is unavoidable, it is recommended to remain in contact with water and mud for as little time as possible. If the residence is hit by rain, you must avoid stepping directly into the water or mud or handling objects that have been hit by it. For this, the recommendation is to wear boots on your feet and gloves on your hands made of rubber or double plastic bags.
• After the water recedes, it is important that the house is cleaned and disinfected, as well as furniture, utensils and clothing.
• Medicines and foodstuffs that have come into contact with rainwater from floods must be thrown away, even if wrapped in plastic or closed. The same should be done with perishable foods that were left without refrigeration due to lack of energy. To dispose of food, it is recommended to use firm plastic bags and seal them with a seal or knot so as not to attract rats, cockroaches, flies and other insects.
• It is recommended to always consume water from the public supply system. In the event of a shortage of the public water system, care with water must be redoubled. Another option is to filter and boil the water for three minutes.
• Health units in all municipalities distribute free bottles of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, suitable for diluting in drinking and cooking water, which can also be purchased in supermarkets and pharmacies. In situations of more intense flooding, Civil Defense and Sanitary Surveillance agencies generally distribute the product free of charge to the affected population.
• Wash your hands thoroughly before eating and before preparing food.

NOROVIRUS SYMPTOMS

• Diarrhea
• vomit
• nausea
• low fever
• Prostration
• Abdominal pain
• Body pain

PREVENTION TIPS

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Drink plenty of filtered water from a safe source
• Do not consume ice of unknown origin
• On the beach and in bars, avoid scratch cards and bags, due to the constant manipulation of ice
• Do not consume food of unknown origin, out of date and with deteriorated packaging
• Avoid raw or undercooked food, especially at the beach
• Avoid peeled or damaged fruits and vegetables
• Do not visit unsuitable beaches, not even to stay on the sand