Star Health Issues Post-Cyclone Health Advisory and Teleconsultation Support for Coastal Andhra Pradesh

Following the impact of twin cyclones Arnab and Murasu across coastal Andhra Pradesh—affecting districts including Prakasam (Ongole), Nellore, Bapatla, Guntur, Krishna, Palnadu, NTR, East Godavari, West Godavari, Visakhapatnam, and Srikakulam health risks are escalating due to standing floodwaters and disrupted civic sanitation. Waterborne illnesses such as typhoid, cholera, hepatitis A, and severe diarrhoeal infections pose immediate threats via contaminated water supplies, while stagnant water accumulation increases mosquito breeding, raising the risk of dengue and malaria outbreaks two to three weeks post-storm. To mitigate post-flood health hazards, Star Health and Allied Insurance Company Limited urges households to adhere to fundamental precautions:

Safe Water & Food Hygiene: Drink strictly boiled or chlorinated water stored in covered containers, wash hands with soap after floodwater contact, and discard exposed food items.

Floodwater Safety & Vector Control: Avoid wading through floodwaters, keep skin cuts covered, clear stagnant water from roofs and tires, and utilize mosquito nets, repellents, and full-sleeved attire.

Medical Readiness & Early Intervention: Keep vital prescriptions and oral rehydration salts (ORS) dry and accessible. Consult medical professionals at the onset of fever, vomiting, body aches, or skin infections instead of self-medicating, and seek urgent care for high fever, severe dehydration, or breathing difficulties.

Accessible Remote Healthcare and Cashless Services:
Recognizing that disrupted power grids, damaged roads, and compromised local transport complicate physical hospital visits, Star Health is urging families to leverage remote health consultations to ensure early treatment. Star Health policyholders can access unlimited virtual consultations and reach ‘Talk to Star’ at 7200 222 333 (available 8 AM to 8 PM) for cashless support and network hospital guidance. When home care is recommended by a doctor, the insurer’s Cashless Home Health Care service covers nursing, diagnostic blood tests, IV fluids, and necessary injections. Utilization of Home Health Care in Andhra Pradesh registered a 4.2X surge between April and September 2026 compared to the corresponding period in 2025. Non-policyholders across the state can also book free Virtual Doctor Consultations through the Star Health mobile app between 8 AM and 8 PM.

Leadership Perspectives:
Srinivas KBB, Business Head – Andhra Pradesh, Star Health Insurance, emphasized that post-cyclonic fevers emerging a week or two after floodwaters recede are frequently ignored by families, despite requiring prompt medical evaluation. He noted that persistent road blockages and unreliable local transport make physical hospital visits difficult precisely when professional medical advice is essential. Encouraging families to remain vigilant and prioritize hygiene, he advised coastal households to utilize home-based virtual doctor consultations to safely access immediate medical guidance without stepping out into hazardous flood conditions.