In this situation, the threat of the growth and spread of waterborne infections increases. This primarily concerns the risk of infectious diseases such as acute intestinal infections (hereinafter referred to as AII) of bacterial and viral etiology, acute viral hepatitis A, etc. In addition, rodents and small animals, which are carriers of many diseases, seeking refuge from floods, rush into residential buildings and structures, significantly increasing the risk of human infection with infectious and parasitic diseases (leptospirosis, tularemia, hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, yersiniosis, toxoplasmosis, pseudotuberculosis, etc.).

It is necessary to take care of your health not only during the flood season but also in advance, before the flood begins, namely:

• when consuming raw vegetables and fruits, they must be thoroughly washed with clean water;

• observe the shelf life of prepared dishes;

• clean up the territory, pump out domestic liquid waste from cesspools (if you live in a private house);

• do not allow the storage of solid domestic waste in flooded areas; ensure that the water source (well, borehole) is not flooded;

• when using water from springs and wells for drinking and cooking, especially during flood periods, it is necessary to disinfect it before use, for example, by boiling or using high-efficiency household filters. It is better to use bottled water for drinking. The quality of such water is more stable. Manufacturers usually extract it from deep underground sources that are not subject to contamination;

• remove food products from the flooded area (cellars, sheds). Take measures to exterminate rodents and prevent their excrement from contaminating food and water;

• strictly observe personal hygiene rules (wash hands thoroughly with soap after visiting the toilet, contact with animals, before preparing and eating food).

If symptoms of an acute infectious disease appear (fever, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), do not self-medicate, but seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Microbiological and sanitary-chemical indicators of water from private wells can be tested at the laboratory of the State Institution "Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology and Public Health" Address: Vitebsk, Zhestkova str., 25, Tel: 8 (0212)-36-07-00, 8 (0212) 36-07-24, WEB site: http://vzcge.by. If you have any questions, you can seek advice from the State Institution "Beshenkovichi District Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology" by calling: 802131 – 6-51-78, 802131 – 6-51-16, 802131 – 6-51-79.