Bangkok faces the risk of widespread disease

Health experts are warning of an outbreak of the disease in Bangkok when floodwaters are expected to recede in the coming days and the government says the worst flooding will cost more than $ 30 billion to the Thai economy. .

Officials from the Ministry of Irrigation said today that billions of square meters of floodwater have flowed into the sea but water continues to draw 11 days before Bangkok is completely dry.

Some areas of Bangkok and surrounding areas are still flooded when water from the north flows through the capital to the Gulf of Thailand.

The flood, the most serious in 50 years, has claimed 529 lives and affected 24 provinces, the Thai Ministry of Natural Disaster Reduction and Mitigation said.

People are at risk of becoming infected with contact with contaminated flood waters.

Health authorities have warned against the rampant occurrence of epidemics, even when the water recedes.

Rekha Hanvesakul, a doctor at BNH Hospital in Bangkok, said the Thai health system is facing a large test to face the consequences of flooding.

'If flooding is only a day or two, people can handle it. But because of the large amount of water and so many people living in flood waters for a long time, the disease has become an alarming issue , 'she said.

Doctors have warned people, especially women, about the dangers of contaminated water that can lead to coccidiosis, with symptoms such as fever, headache, nausea and vomiting. Other diseases such as cholera and stomach diseases like typhoid.

So far, skin diseases and fungal infections are the most common diseases in the flood, with nearly 100,000 cases of foot fungi being reported. Diarrhea and respiratory infections are also common, especially when many flood victims have to live in cramped shelters, without enough electricity or clean water.

BNH Hospital also warned people about poisonous snakes, scorpions and centipedes in the country.

Floods have attacked seven industrial parks in Ayutthaya and Pathum Thai provinces in northern Bangkok, severely disrupting the production of electronic cars, computers and other key industries.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has spent $ 4 billion in 2012 financial budget to compensate the victims and serve the post-flood reconstruction.

Tourism officials are also estimating the damage of floods to the smokeless industry. Suraphon Svetasreni, Director General of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said that the number of visitors to Thailand has dropped by 25% in recent weeks.

The number of visitors to Thailand in 2011 is expected to be 19.1 million, down from the previous estimate of 19.5 million.

Suhvanabhumi International Airport in Bangkok is still open, thanks to being protected by a 3.5km high dyke covered with sand sacks. But Don Muang domestic airport has been closed due to floods since the end of October.

Thailand University of Commerce estimates the damage of the flood to the economy could reach $ 33 billion and up to 1 million people lost their jobs.