At least 4,024 people were affected by diarrhoea, skin disorder, eye inflammation and bronchitis during three weeks of flooding in the low-lying areas of Bangladesh.
The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) also reported 67 deaths from drowning, diarrhoea, snakebite and lighting in this period, reports bdnews24.com.
The northern, northeastern and central parts of the country experienced two rounds of floods from June 30 to July 19. Around 2.6 million people were affected in 18 districts.
"More than half of the people are diarrhoea patients. The figure may rise further in the future," Dr Niyamul Haque of the National Health Crisis Management Centre and Control Room said.
A medical team is working in the affected areas, Niyamul said. Adequate purification tablets and other medicines are in supply to ensure pure water.
People overcrowded shelters in the flood-hit areas. There will also be crowds during relief distribution. Health expert Dr Mushtaq Hossain warned of infection risks in this situation.
"The relief workers will go in from outside. The risk of transmission remains if any one of them contracts the coronavirus. Both parties need to keep an eye on this situation."
An arrangement should be in place to monitor the disease symptoms of people in water-logged areas locally or through a hotline, said Mushtaq. Quarantine and isolation can limit the spread of infection.
Workers who will visit shelters and relief camps must follow hygiene rules and care must be taken to keep the areas free from risk, the doctor said. If anyone shows symptoms or is found to be infected with the virus, he should be moved to the Upazila Health Complex or elsewhere.
The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief said it is carefully handling the situation.
Ministry Secretary Md Mohsin said, "Everything is supervised by civil surgeons, local administration and people's representatives. This issue was followed even before the floods hit. The number of shelters has been increased in every area to prevent overcrowding. Besides, our people are also working at the grassroots level."
Everyone has been instructed to wear masks while abiding by hygiene and social distancing rules in shelters amid the virus crisis, said Enamur Rahman, state minister for disaster management and relief.