The hidden health dangers of flooding
Story highlights
- Contaminated water, sheltering with groups can spread stomach viruses, skin rashes, respiratory disease
- Biggest health challenge from flooding may be mental, with increases in stress, anxiety and depression
(CNN)Even after Hurricane Harvey's immediate flooding threat goes away, Texas residents will face a host of potential health problems from the water -- and from what the water leaves behind.
Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Tom Price declared a public health emergency in Texas on Sunday. That means the department has put additional medical personnel from across the country on alert, ready to provide help when they are needed.
The health concerns that floodwater can bring include physical and mental challenges.
Unhealthy floodwater
Floodwater
is more than simple rain. It's often contaminated with sewage and
chemicals and can hide sharp objects made of metal or glass. Sewage can
cause boils or rashes on parts of the body that are submerged for
extended periods of time, such as legs, according to environmentalist
Wilma Subra. Chemicals can cause rashes and burning of the skin and eyes
after exposure.
Drone footage shows Harvey's destruction 00:45
Floodwater
can also carry disease. That's a serious problem in developing
countries where cholera, typhoid or yellow fever are present, according to the World Health Organization. None of those diseases is common in Texas, so an outbreak is highly unlikely.
What
may be more common will be bouts of diarrhea or other stomach problems
if people come into contact with contaminated water or consume food or
drink that has. Using items that have been submerged can also cause
stomach problems. To cut down on infection, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention reminds parents not to let children play with
toys that have been in the water unless then have since been thoroughly
washed.
Exposure to floodwater can
increase risk for skin rashes, ear, nose and throat problems and
conjunctivitis, but the World Health Organization says that none of
these is epidemic-prone. Of 14 major floods between 1970 and 1994, the WHO said,
the only major epidemic of diarrheal disease was in Sudan in 1980.
American disease control is much more advanced than Sudan's. The other
major risk is drinking contaminated water -- but again, US disease
surveillance is likely to minimize that risk.
The
occasional stomach bug or respiratory infection may be more likely,
people having to stay in close quarters with large groups. With a flood,
it is hard for people to keep up healthy hygiene standards. When people
stay together in shelters with large groups, it's easy to spread germs.
The
CDC highly recommends that people who are staying at shelters be extra
careful to wash their hands or to use an alcohol hand gel to prevent the
spread of disease. People with open wounds also need to take extra care
to keep them covered. Floodwater can easily cause a wound to become
infected.
Health-related cleanup challenges
Doctors
often see more people with respiratory infections after floodwaters
recede and people are allowed to return to their homes. Contamination
from floodwaters and the mold that quickly grows in a warm environment
like Texas can exacerbate asthma or trigger allergies.
Texas governor on flood disaster (full interview) 04:44
The
CDC advises people to wear rubber boots and gloves when they clean
their homes, to avoid direct contact with any item that has come into
contact with floodwater. Subra also recommends a mask or respirator.
Walls,
floors and anything with a hard surface that has come into contact with
floodwater -- like appliances, countertops or children's play areas --
need to be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a bleach
solution. Fabrics should be washed in hot water or dry-cleaned.
Furniture like beds and upholstered sofas and chairs that can be saved
should be dried in the sun and then sprayed with a disinfectant. Carpets should be steam-cleaned.
Food and beverages that have come into contact with floodwater should be thrown away. The Food and Drug Administration
suggests that people should also throw away prescription drugs, even
those that are in their original containers or with screw tops, as they
may no longer be safe if they've come into contact with contaminated
water.
Standing water
Floods
typically flush out mosquitoes and interrupt their breeding cycle, but
when the flooding stops, there is an increased risk of infection from a
mosquito-borne illness like Zika or West Nile. Mosquitoes that carry
disease thrive in standing water and breed quickly when there is a lot
of it.
After Hurricane Katrina, studies showed, areas that were directly impacted saw an increase in cases of West Nile.
The CDC suggests that people who are near standing water should take extra care to use bug spray with DEET.
Mosquitoes
aren't the only insect, or even animal, to worry about after a storm.
Creatures including ants, rodents, reptiles and house pets are
displaced. The CDC recommends keeping your distance to avoid being
bitten.
Standing water can be
electrically charged due to fallen power lines that are submerged or
those that are underground but still live. With this comes a risk of
electrocution.
Mental health concerns
The biggest health concern from a flood, other than the immediate dangers of rushing waters, may be mental, studies show.
Symbol of hope: Resident waves Texas flag 00:49
Hurricanes
and flooding generate additional anxiety, depression and stress. The
storms can exacerbate existing mental health problems or lead to new
ones.
Stress is common
both during and after any natural disaster. Tears may come easier,
sleep may be a challenge, worry or a desire to be alone may be
especially strong, thinking may become muddled, and it may be hard to
remember things or to listen to people. And it may be hard to even
accept help, experts say.
Some
people may develop problems related to the lingering challenges
associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, but the majority of
those affected should recover in time. People who have strong bonds with
family, friends and co-workers tend to recover best, so experts suggest
paying close attention to those relationships to help speed recovery.
For
those with lingering mental challenges, counseling is recommended. If
people need immediate help, the Health and Human Services Department
offers a Disaster Distress Helpline to help those struggling with mental
health problems resulting from the storm. That toll-free number,
staffed by mental health professionals, is 1-800-985-5990.
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