Ministry of Health releases tips to help the population

Since mid-August, Brazil has been facing the worst fires and droughts in the last 44 years. Aiming to reduce this problem, last Wednesday (11), the Minister of Health, Nísia Trindade, said that the government will set up hydration and nebulization tents in places where pollution is most intense and recommended placing damp towels around the house to humidify the environment. The Ministry of Health also published information on how to deal with this situation, among its guidelines are:

• Drink plenty of water.
• Do not practice physical activities in open areas.
• Stay away from fires.
• If you experience nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, dizziness, mental confusion or severe headaches, seek medical attention.
  

In addition to these tips on how to stay healthy in this alarming environmental scenario, guidelines for the Government were also posted, namely:

• Strengthen the services provided by UBS and UPA.
• Monitor air quality, relative humidity and temperature.
• Monitor water quality.
• Ensure access to drinking water.
• Guide medical teams to identify health risks.
• Attention to the mental health of the population.

Hydration and nebulization tents

It was reported that the tents will be set up in the Amazon, Pantanal and western São Paulo, as they are the most affected areas to date.

“Where necessary, tents will be set up, using the experiences we have already had that were successful, the same standard, both for hydration and for nebulization where there is a need to expand supply”declared the Secretary of Specialized Health Care, Adriano Massuda.

In the tents, people will receive drinking water and have access to nebulized respiratory treatments, which help to reduce symptoms caused by dry air.

Learn more about the fires

Brazil is experiencing the worst drought and fires in 44 years. The interior of São Paulo is consumed by smoke from the criminal fires that are taking place. Residents of large cities in the interior of São Paulo, such as Sorocaba and Campinas, are reporting that the air in their cities has a yellowish color and black soot from the fires is reaching their homes in the center of the large cities.

Embed from Getty Images

_{Pantanal on fire (Photo: reproduction/LucasNinno/Getty Images Embed)}

Health Minister Nísia Trindade stressed that health problems can arise in the short or long term, mainly affecting people with comorbidities, children, the elderly and pregnant women. The most worrying symptoms in the short term are nausea and vomiting. Cardiovascular and respiratory problems can arise in the long term.

The government is committed to stopping criminal burning and punishing those responsible.

Featured Photo: Health Minister in a meeting (Reproduction/Walterson Rosa/Carta Capital)