The critical flood prevention period from July to August is the time of most concentrated precipitation, the strongest rainfall intensity and the highest probability of extreme rainfall in the North China and Northeast China in the year. It is necessary to prevent urban waterlogging or secondary disasters caused by rainfall. The flood season is the peak season for foodborne diseases. Flood disasters are often accompanied by power outages, water shortages, livestock and poultry deaths, drinking water sources and food contamination. Here are some health tips after heavy rain.

I. Prevention of foodborne diseases

1. Water and food safety. Do not drink raw water or contaminated water. Flooded wells in rural areas should be cleaned and disinfected. Do not eat spoiled food or dead livestock, poultry, fish and shrimp and other foods caused by drowning or disease. It is necessary to make sure that the food is thoroughly cooked. It is recommended to pay attention to the shelf life of the food on its packaging, and do not eat it after it expires.

2. Store food in a clean and hygienic manner. Food storage should be kept away from places where there are pests. Countertops, containers, and other surfaces that come into contact with food should be kept clean and disinfected. Cooking utensils and tableware should be boiled for disinfection.

3. Raw and cooked food should be separated to avoid cross contamination. Packaging bags and utensils can be used for storage. The food should be stored in different layers in the refrigerator.

II. Prevention of intestinal diseases

1. Pay attention to food safety and hygiene. Do not eat raw food, do not drink raw water, and do not wash food and tableware directly with tap water or flood water. Do not eat food soaked in flood water. Do not eat food of unknown origin, especially drowned and dead animals, aquatic products of unknown origin, etc. It is necessary to wash hands before meals, after defecation, and before processing food.

2. If you are infected, it is necessary to seek medical treatment in time. Once symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea occur, it is recommended to go to the hospital in time. Do not eat suspicious food, and keep some samples. It is necessary to isolate and treat patients with suspected intestinal infectious diseases in time, and dispose of feces and vomit safely. Vaccination is one of the safest and most effective means of disease prevention.

III. Prevention of mosquito-borne diseases

1. Do a good job in environmental sanitation and prevention. After heavy rainfall, the silt and garbage around the streets or residential areas should be cleaned up as soon as possible, and domestic garbage should be piled up in a centralized manner. It is recommended to open doors and windows to ventilate, clean furniture, and clean indoor items. The daily necessities could be boiled and disinfected or exposed to sunlight for disinfection.

2. Do a good job in mosquito and fly prevention and elimination.  It is suggested to improve mosquito and fly prevention facilities, use screen doors, screen windows and mosquito nets. It is recommended to use some mosquito repellents regularly in places with high mosquito density such as stagnant water, garbage dumps, and toilets. In temporary shelters or residences, you could light mosquito coils or use electric mosquito coils before going to bed.

Here are the suggestions from Beijing 120. Once you feel unwell, especially when symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. occur, you should pay attention and seek medical treatment in time.