People do not face any unusual risk of developing vaccine-preventable diseases during a flood.If redness, swelling, or drainage occurs at the wound site, seek medical attention.For wounds with environmental contamination, immunization with tetanus is recommended if it has been more than 5 years since the completion of the series or a previous booster. Serious injuries such as deep lacerations, uncontrolled bleeding, broken bones, etc., require immediate medical attention. Immunization with tetanus is recommended if it has been more than 10 years since the completion of the series or a previous booster. Minor wounds should be cleansed thoroughly with soap and clean water, covered, and kept dry while working on cleanup activities.The Department of Health actively monitors flood areas for disease outbreaks. Diarrheal diseases are usually food borne or waterborne.If a disease-causing organism is not present in an area (such as typhoid or cholera) and is not introduced after a disaster, the disease poses no threat to the public’s health.Consult your doctor if diarrhea, vomiting, or fever develops. General symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, malaise, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Diarrheal diseases may be common during flooding due to disruption in human sewage and overflow of animal manure piles.While skin contact with floodwater does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, ingesting anything contaminated with floodwater may cause disease. Take care not to step on nails or other protruding items.įloodwater may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems, and agricultural and industrial by-products. When entering an area that is or has been flooded, it is important to wear protective clothing, such as boots, rubber gloves, and long-sleeved shirts, to help reduce contact with contaminated items. Contaminated toys should be disinfected in a solution of 1 ounce of bleach (1/8 cup) in 2 gallons of water. Wash their hands frequently, especially before meals. Do not allow children to play in floodwater or in areas that have been flooded. Parents need to take special care that their children follow these precautions. Bacteria can remain on towels and cloths, so wash linen often with clean water and soap. When no regular safe water supply is available, use bottled, boiled, or chemically disinfected water for washing hands (and brushing teeth). after handling articles contaminated with floodwater or sewage.before preparing or eating food, handling a baby, smoking, or any other activity that involves touching something that may enter a person’s mouth (Adults should make sure children do the same.).One of the most important things you can do to prevent the spread of waterborne disease is to always wash your hands with plenty of soap and clean, warm, running water. Doing so is imperative, however, if the risk of disease is to be minimized. | Immunizations | Insect Pests & Animals |įollowing a flood, it can be difficult to maintain good hygiene and cleanliness.
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