Imphal, August 23: MoS (Independent charge) for Health Dr Chaltonlien Amo has appealed to the people to take up precautionary measures and avoid water borne diseases in the face of the flood ravaging the State.

The Health Minister asked people to be wary of diarrhoea, dysentery, typhoid, jaundice, cough, cold and fever and skin diseases.

Stating that prevention is better than cure the Minister asked the people to use only boiled water for consumption, maintain personal hygiene, to eat only freshly cooked food and to keep the food covered to prevent flies and others from infecting the food, to dispose off garbage at earliest and to thoroughly wash up if one steps into the flood water without any delay.

The Minister further said that the over and above the health centres opened at the four districts of Imphal East, West, Thoubal and Bishnupur under the Chief Medical Officers, the Health Department has also opened mobile teams.

Medical camps have also been opened at various places to meet the need of the people.

To convenience the public a Flood Monitoring Cell has been opened at the Health Directorate office at Lamphelpat at 310311.All medical staff attached with the health centres, dispensaries and hospitals have also been instructed to discharge' their duties diligently.