The wildfires around Bogota this Monday have created plumes of smoke that could affect the health of citizens, and the Ministry of Health is sharing the following care tips:
1. Stay away from areas where fires have been reported to avoid direct inhalation of smoke.
If you are in a fire-affected area, cover your nose and mouth with a mask or a damp handkerchief as a preventive measure.
2. If you are near a source of smoke, soot, or particulate matter, do not leave windows and doors open; Also cover the vents with a damp cloth.
Clean surfaces and floors in your home with cloths or cloths dampened with water to prevent dust from rising.
3. Identify and manage the most vulnerable people, such as children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with lung conditions such as asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), especially those dependent on oxygen. Assess the possibility of their relocation to unaffected areas.
4. Limiting effort and strenuous outdoor exercise is recommended for the following sensitive people: children under 5, pregnant women, the elderly (60 years and older), and people with conditions such as COPD, asthma, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and cancer .
5. People with chronic diseases should continue the prescribed treatment.
6. Follow the official recommendations of the authorities.
7. Contact the emergency service if the following warning signs appear:
• In children under 5 years of age: rapid breathing, “wheezing” or “hollows in the ribs” and persistent cough. An episode of fever in children under 2 months of age or in children older than this age, a fever that is difficult to control or that persists for more than 2 days; drowsiness or irritability. The child cannot drink or suck at the breast, or eats nothing, spitting up everything; have seizures or seizures; gets worse or “doesn’t look good”.
• In the general community: shortness of breath, unusual tiredness or chest pain. Cough with purulent sputum or bloodstains. Loss of energy or excessive fatigue, as well as confusion or change in consciousness. Fever that is difficult to control or that persists for more than 2 days.
For more information on air quality in the city, refer to the Bogota Air Quality and Health Risk Index (IBOCA) published by the District Secretariat for the Environment.
In the trill you can get more information about the latest air quality report in Bogota:
Today, air quality in Bogotá has been affected by pollutants released from the wildfires that are taking place in the region.
No alert is expected yet, but we continue to monitor air quality. ????️⚠️ pic.twitter.com/CcDR13z6XG– Ministry of the Environment (@Ambientebogota) August 15, 2023
