Flood Response Information

[Son of Mountains]

Personal Health and Safety


General Precautions

• Safe drinking water should be a top priority (boil incase if there is facility.) For infants use ready to feed formula or bottled water for mixing formula.
• Water of drinking quality should be used for food preparation.
• Clean water should be available for frequent hand washing or bathing.
• Cook foods thoroughly. Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold to prevent food borne illness.
• Wear rubber boots and waterproof gloves, especially if in direct contact with untreated sewage. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water afterward.
• Seek immediate medical guidance in the event of contact with chemical or corrosive substances.
• Keep litter, garbage, and refuse contained to discourage insects and wild animals.
• Avoid driving through flood waters.
• To prevent the growth of mold, clean and disinfect your place thoroughly after the flood waters recede – including the removal of any insulating material that’s been saturated with flood waters.

Personal Precautions
Hygiene
Following a flood, it can be difficult to maintain good hygiene and cleanliness. Doing so is imperative, however, if the risk of disease is to be minimized.

One of the most important things you can do to prevent the spread of waterborne disease is to always wash your hands with soap and this is particularly important:

• 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.);
• after toilet use;
• After handling articles contaminated with floodwater or sewage.

When no regular safe water supply is available, use bottled, boiled or chemically disinfected water for washing hands (and brushing teeth).
Do not allow children to play in floodwater or in areas that have been flooded. Wash their hands frequently, especially before meals.
Protective Clothing
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. Take care not to step on nails or other protruding items.
Floodwater may contain fecal material from overflowing sewage systems, and agricultural and industrial byproducts. While skin contact with floodwater does not, by itself, pose a serious health risk, ingesting anything contaminated with floodwater may cause disease.


Diarrheal Disease

• Diarrheal diseases may be common during flooding due to disruption in human sewage and overflow of animal manure piles. General symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, malaise, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Consult your doctor if diarrhea, vomiting or fever develops.
• 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.
• Diarrheal diseases are usually food borne or waterborne.

Wound Management

• Minor wounds should be cleansed thoroughly with soap and clean water, covered, and kept dry while working on cleanup activities. Serious injuries such as deep lacerations, uncontrolled bleeding, broken bones, etc., require immediate medical attention. If after wound, redness, swelling, or drainage occurs at wound site, seek medical attention.

Insect Pests and Animals

• An increase in mosquitoes or other insects can be expected after flooding. They will be more a nuisance than a public health threat in the weeks immediately following the flooding. To reduce exposure to insects, wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants with legs tucked into boots. Protect exposed skin and clothing with insect repellent and follow the instructions on the label.
• Wild animals can be forced from their natural habitats by flooding, and many pets and livestock may also be displaced. Take care to avoid these animals, because some may carry rabies; if bitten seek immediate medical attention.
• Rats may be a problem during and after a flood. Take care to secure all food supplies and remove any animal carcasses.
• If you are bitten by any animal seek immediate medical attention.
• Responsibility for proper disposal of animal carcasses these requirements include burning, burial, rendering, or as otherwise prescribed by the State Veterinarian.