INFloodwaters carry large amounts of pollutants, bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. They contain human and animal feces from septic tanks, barns, and sewage treatment plants, as well as a variety of chemicals, some toxic and radioactive, whose origins are difficult to determine. Floodwaters can flow through industrial plants, landfills and cemeteries.
— People affected by floods are particularly at risk of poisoning and infections of the gastrointestinal tract. These can include diseases such as typhoid fever, bacterial dysentery, hepatitis A and other bacterial poisonings. E. colirotavirus or norovirus – says Prof. Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz, national epidemiology consultant, specialist at the National Institute of Public Health PZH – National Research Institute.
The symptoms of infections and food poisoning are similar. They are: fever or low-grade fever, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, weakness, lack of appetite, but the time of onset varies from the moment of infection. In the case of hepatitis A, symptoms can appear 15 to 50 days after infection, the incubation period for dysentery is 2 to 5 days and the symptoms of food poisoning caused by salmonella, norovirus, rotavirus or E. coli appear from six to 48 hours.
The severity of digestive symptoms depends on the number of bacteria or viruses that caused the infection, but also on the person’s health, susceptibility, and immunity. People affected by the floods may have weakened immunity. They have been through extremely severe stress, many of them are exhausted and sleep deprived. Some of them will need the help of psychotherapists, and some of them may develop post-traumatic stress disorder. In the areas affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, one in three residents was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Beware of wounds and cuts
If diarrhea or other disturbing symptoms occur, it is necessary to consult a doctor. There are vaccines against typhoid fever and hepatitis A, but they are not recommended if symptoms occur. — Vaccination should be carried out earlier, and not when symptoms of the disease appear – says Prof. Paradowska-Stankiewicz.
The situation is different with tetanus, a dangerous disease that attacks the nervous system. Tetanus causes, among other things, increased muscle tension or spasms, a feeling of collapse. Over time, it can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, vertebral fractures and myocarditis. The disease leads to death in 30-50 percent of infected people.
The spores of this bacterium are found in the soil, where they can be washed away during floods. If an injury occurs and the wound becomes contaminated with contaminated water or flood mud, it can become infected. Therefore, after getting injured, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Only children and young people are protected against tetanus. — Children are vaccinated against tetanus as part of the mandatory vaccination schedule. The last dose is given to people aged 19. Then the effectiveness of the vaccine decreases. Therefore, we should repeat the tetanus vaccination every 10 years, but few people remember this – says Prof. Paradowska-Stankiewicz and recommends tetanus vaccination especially for people working on flood damage removal. – If you are injured during such work, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, who will decide whether to vaccinate you – adds Prof. Paradowska-Stankiewicz. For now, there are vaccines, but it is difficult to determine how many will be needed.
Hygiene is the most important thing
You cannot drink or wash with flood water. You should also not eat anything that may have been contaminated by it. Therefore, any food that may have come into contact with this water should be discarded. Such products are also not suitable for animal feed. You should also throw away food that you are not sure has gotten water in it, as well as vegetables and fruits that are impermeable. The same applies to medicines. Canned goods are suitable for consumption, but only those that do not show signs of damage – dents, bulges or signs of rust.
You should also throw away any household items that have a rough surface and cannot be washed thoroughly. All other equipment should be thoroughly cleaned with appropriate disinfectants. Special attention should be paid to areas where food is stored. They should be clean and dry to prevent mold from growing and getting into the food.
It is a good idea to wear protective gloves when cleaning, as some pathogens can be infected through skin contact with contaminated water. – And whenever possible, wash your hands with clean water. It is not for nothing that dysentery, typhoid and hepatitis A are called diseases of dirty hands – says Prof. Paradowska-Stankiewicz.
