The Patna civil surgeon’s office has sent a medical team to the flood-affected areas of the district to treat people suffering from diarrhoea, cough and cold among other diseases.

Civil surgeon Lakhendra Prasad told The Telegraph on Sunday: “Medical teams from many primary health centres have been sent to relief camps in flood-hit areas like Bakhtiyarpur, Maner, Barh, Athmalgola among other places by boats to help people.”

Prasad said flood victims are being briefed on ways to protect themselves from water- and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue. “People in flood-hit areas are more prone to water-borne diseases. Taking into account the gravity of the situation, the medical teams are suggesting them precautions against such diseases. We are taking special care of pregnant women and infants, who are most susceptible to infections,” said Prasad, adding: “The medical teams have been provided with anti-diarrhoea tablets and anti-venom injections.”

Prasad added: “Medical teams are telling people in flood-hit areas to drink boiled water, use mosquito nets and use halogen tablets to purify drinking water.”

A source said the district civil surgeon’s office would have to devise a good plan to arrest the spread of water and vector-borne diseases in flood-hit areas. Prasad said people would require more medical help when floodwater recedes.

“After flood, there is a high risk of infection because of the presence of decaying plants, animal bodies and stagnant water,” said Prasad.