The Threat Of Post-Disaster Diseases In Aceh 'North Sumatra, Starting From Diarrhea To Leptospirosis

Illustration of flooding. (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Heavy rains that hit various areas in the provinces of Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra over the past few days have caused widespread floods and landslides.

As of Friday, November 28, 2025, at least 127 people were reported dead, while dozens were still missing. The extreme weather has also destroyed thousands of houses and forced thousands of residents to flee to safer locations.

In the midst of this emergency situation, the community not only faces physical damage and loss of property, but also health risks that often accompany disasters, especially floods.

Floods are one of the environmental problems that can not only have an impact, but also affect public health, especially those affected by the flood itself.

The post-flood inundation of dirty water can be a medium for the spread of various disease agents. The moist environment, sanitation decreases, and limited access to clean water makes people more vulnerable to experiencing health problems.

Here are some post-flood diseases that people in Aceh need to watch out for and other affected areas, as reported by the Ministry of Health.

1. Diarrhea

Diarrhea is one of the most common diseases after flooding. This condition occurs due to contaminated food or drinks, as stated in the text that diarrhea arises because foods are contaminated or contain bacteria, viruses or parasites. Lack of clean water and sanitation facilities during evacuation increase the risk.

2. Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF)

The remaining puddle of water after the flood became a breeding ground for Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which caused dengue fever. The population of mosquitoes can increase rapidly, so the risk of transmission of this disease also increases, especially in densely populated environments.

3. Leptospirosis

This disease is caused by leptospira bacteria that are usually found in water or soil that are polluted by the urine of animals, especially mice. Infection occurs when bacteria enter through the eyes, wounds, or abrasions of the skin.

This disease can occur due to leptospira bacteria that infect humans through contact with water or soil. Flood conditions that allow water to be mixed with various animal waste make the risk even higher.

4. Skin disease

The moist and underclean environment after the flood makes people vulnerable to fungal, garap, or skin irritation infections. Direct contact with dirty water and lack of opportunities to maintain self-cleaning exacerbate this condition, especially in refugee camps.

5. ISPA (Acupressure Channel Infection)

ISPA can appear due to exposure to unhealthy environments, moist air, and dense evacuation conditions. The text states that ARI occurs due to infection in the respiratory tract by viruses or bacteria that appear in unhealthy environments. Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable groups.

The Importance Of Vigilance And Clean Life Behavior

By understanding the various diseases that can arise after the flood, the people in Aceh 'North Sumatra are expected to be more vigilant and maintain a clean lifestyle and environmental sanitation.

Efforts to maintain cleanliness, ensure safe drinking water, and avoid contact with flood water are important steps to reduce health risks.

If complaints or symptoms of disease appear, the public is advised to immediately check with the nearest health facility in order to get treatment as early as possible. Immediately check with the nearest health facility so that you can immediately get treatment as early as possible.