NHM, SKIMS Issue Public Health Advisory

Srinagar- As the flood-like situation in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir continues, the Health and Medical Education Department, in coordination with the Department of Community Medicine, SKIMS, and the National Health Mission (NHM), has issued a comprehensive Public Health Advisory.

The advisory highlights measures to prevent the outbreak of water-borne and vector-borne diseases, ensure food and water safety, and address mental health needs during this crisis.

Health experts have cautioned that contaminated water and food sources pose a grave risk of diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A and E.

They said the foremost priority should be access to safe water.“People should drink only boiled or chlorinated water (rolling boil for at least 5–10 minutes), sealed and packaged bottled water from reliable sources remains the safest option, if water appears muddy, it must be filtered through a clean cloth before boiling or treating and water should be stored in clean, covered containers, and hands or unclean objects should not be dipped into stored water, instead, a ladle or small vessel should be used.”

Doctors have urged that only freshly cooked, hot food should be consumed.“Raw vegetables, cut fruits, or uncovered food must be avoided. Any food that has come into contact with floodwater should be discarded immediately. Dry rations should be stored at elevated levels inside homes to protect them from contamination.”

MENAFN05092025000215011059ID1110020879