Cambodia & Health: Essential precautions during the monsoon season in the kingdom

While the monsoon season can sometimes be fun, as shown in the photo below, it is also a time of year when accidents and illnesses are more common. It is therefore wise to take basic precautions.

Monsoon atmosphere in Phnom Penh. Photo by Christophe Gargiulo

Precautions

While the monsoon is eagerly awaited by fishermen and farmers, especially after periods of drought, it is also a time when storms, floods, and lightning are frequent and can cause serious accidents.

Every year, dozens of Cambodians die from floods, lightning, or accidents related to this type of natural phenomenon.

Property damage is extensive and frequent during this season of storms and heavy rains. Rural homes, livestock, and equipment are usually hit hard when the monsoon is particularly violent.

The first showers usually arrive in the early evening, preceded by thunder and often impressive lightning. This is when lightning is most likely to strike. The greatest risk associated with lightning is electrocution.

If you are caught unawares, the safest places to shelter from lightning are inside a building, away from windows, or in a car with a metal body and all metal parts connected to each other. It is essential to keep all doors and windows closed.

Dangerous driving

Driving in heavy rain can be difficult, as water can rise several inches in some places, affecting visibility of other vehicles or masking imperfections in the road surface. The risk of accidents is higher, so it is advisable to stop, especially when riding a motorcycle, and wait for the downpour to end.

Monsoon rain in Phnom Penh. Photo by Christophe Gargiulo

Places to avoid during thunderstorms and lightning

Places to avoid include: open spaces such as sports fields or fields, tall vertical structures such as buildings, masts, isolated trees or cranes (any metal structures), bodies of water such as ponds or outdoor swimming pools, hills, mountains or vantage points, windows (even closed), fences (even non-metallic), high-voltage cables, boats, and tents.

Insects and reptiles in residential areas

Serious accidents of this type are rare, but every year around 100 people are bitten by insects or reptiles during the monsoon season. Snakes, scorpions, and centipedes come close to homes due to flooding.

Cambodia is home to 17 known species of venomous snakes, including vipers, cobras, and kraits. Snake bites are much more common during the rainy season.

Scorpion in Cambodia. Photo by Frontier official

The National Disaster Management Committee frequently calls on residents of flood-affected provinces to exercise extreme caution. It also recommends that anyone who has been bitten or stung should go to the nearest clinic or hospital. The Committee also advises against seeking traditional medicine for this type of accident.

Infections

It can start with a small, trivial wound that takes a long time to heal due to the humidity. Staphylococci then develop rapidly and can cause a serious infection.

If the first symptoms appear, such as multiple small suppurating wounds, fever, and fatigue, seek medical attention immediately. In general, treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, in addition to regular cleaning of the wounds, will clear up the infection within a few days.

Diseases

The monsoon season is also conducive to the rapid spread of infectious diseases due to high humidity. “Monsoon diseases” are generally mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever and malaria.

Other examples include influenza, dysentery, and leptospirosis. All of these diseases find ideal conditions for their development due to humidity and flooding.

The public is therefore advised to observe basic hygiene rules, destroy mosquito breeding sites, and eat healthy foods, especially those rich in vitamin C.

Remember to wash after heavy rains because sewage can mix with floodwaters when roads and gutters overflow.

Reminder of monsoon diseases

Dengue

The most common disease caused by the tiger mosquito. Symptoms of dengue include high fever, rash, hypersensitivity, and severe fatigue.

Malaria

Malaria is caused by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which breed in waterlogged areas. This is why it is the most widespread disease during the monsoon season.

Fever, chills, muscle pain, and weakness are the main symptoms. The best way to prevent malaria is to clean water tanks frequently, keep your environment clean, and use protective clothing and mosquito nets.

Moustique Aedes aegypti. Photograph IPC

Diarrhea

This widespread intestinal illness is caused by consuming unhygienic food and contaminated water. It is easy to prevent and treat with proper care. There are two types of diarrhea, acute and chronic, both of which can be treated.

Typhoid

A waterborne disease, typhoid is usually caused by consuming food and water that has been cooked or stored in unsanitary conditions.

The bacterium S. Typhi is the cause. Fever, headache, weakness, and sore throat are some of the symptoms of typhoid.

Always carry hand sanitizer with you, avoid eating questionable street food, and drink “safe liquids.”

Viral fever

Viral fevers are a common symptom throughout the year, but are most common during the monsoon season. Severe fever, cold, and cough are common symptoms. This can last anywhere from three to seven days. However, it is always a good idea to consult a doctor before diagnosing anything.

Cholera

Another monsoon illness caused by consuming contaminated food and water. Poor hygiene and sanitation can lead to many illnesses, including cholera.

Although there are few cases in Cambodia, caution is advised as this highly contagious disease can be fatal. The disease begins with diarrhea, vomiting, severe fatigue, and muscle cramps.

Leptospirosis

Also known as Weil's disease, leptospirosis is caused by contact with dirty water or mud. Inflammation, chills, muscle aches, headaches, and fever are common symptoms of this monsoon disease.

Stomach infections

Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain are the most common stomach infections. They are usually caused by consuming food and liquids that have been handled without proper hygiene.

Gastroenteritis is another common stomach infection caused during this period. It is advisable to have clean drinking water, home-cooked meals, and drink plenty of healthy liquids such as mineral water, fruit juices, and soy milk.

COVID-19

This is not a monsoon disease, but the humid conditions and lack of hygiene during this time of year can promote transmission. The most common symptoms are fever, cough, fatigue, and loss of taste and smell.