Doctors Warn of Disease Outbreak Risk Amid Rains in Quintana Roo

Quintana Roo — The president of the Quintana Roo College of Physicians, Francisco Lara Uscanga, urged residents to take extra precautions to prevent a mass outbreak of illnesses linked to recent rainfall, particularly gastrointestinal infections and mosquito-borne diseases.

Lara Uscanga warned that stagnant water and the potential overflow of septic tanks and latrines pose a serious threat of biological contamination, especially in rural and semi-urban areas that rely on wells for water.

Water Contamination and Digestive Health Risks

The combination of high humidity, prolonged flooding, and extreme heat creates conditions for bacteria and parasites to thrive. Lara Uscanga said the main health threats include gastroenteritis, severe dehydration from diarrhea, and dermatitis caused by contact with contaminated water.

“We don’t know if this water is contaminated,” he said. “The population is exposed to illnesses such as gastroenteritis, dehydration from diarrhea, dermatitis, and some mosquito-borne diseases.”

To curb gastrointestinal infections, the College of Physicians issued these guidelines:

• Safe water: Do not use stagnant water for drinking or household cleaning.
• Sanitation: Inspect and disinfect latrines or overflowing septic tanks.
• Children: Keep children from playing in puddles or flooded areas.
• Hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly before and after using the restroom, and eat only well-cooked food.

Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention

To prevent dengue, zika, and chikungunya, Lara Uscanga urged communities to carry out clean-up drives to remove standing water from patios, roofs, and front yards, eliminating breeding sites for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. He also recommended using mosquito nets and repellent at dawn and dusk, when the mosquitoes are most active.

He stressed the importance of early detection and warned against self-medication for fevers or infections.

“If you have a fever or diarrhea, go to your nearest health center. Do not self-medicate,” he said, urging residents to seek timely professional medical care.