It is not rainwater or river water that floods houses, buildings and streets. It is often chemically and biologically contaminated mud, sludge mixed with sewage, oil or petrol. Contact with this liquid can be dangerous. You have to wear rubber boots and gloves, and even packaged food has to be thrown away.
– The situation is serious, as in all municipalities where sewage treatment plants have been flooded – warns the mayor of Brzeg Violetta Jaskólska-Palus. She appeals to residents to use water rationally. In order to reduce the amount of sewage. – There is a phenomenon of backflow and these feces are flooding Oławska Street – she adds.
Flooded cities are now facing massive destruction, but the flood wave is dangerous not only because of its strength.
– This quick cleaning action that we have undertaken for this purpose is intended to prevent epidemiological threats – says the mayor of Czechowice-Dziedzice, Marian Błachut.
“We don't have any alarming signals at this point”
The flood wave carries a number of pollutants that are dangerous to health and life. – It is simply mud in which everything floats. Both mineral material and biological material, rotten and spoiled food – lists Professor Krzysztof Simon, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology at the Medical University of Wrocław.
– As well as the decomposing remains of animals that died during the flood – says Agnieszka Mastalerz-Migas, national consultant in the field of family medicine at the Medical University of Wrocław.
Therefore, you should avoid contact with flood water. However, if this is not possible, you should not only wash your hands thoroughly. You should also monitor yourself. If, for example, you experience abdominal pain or vomiting, a doctor's consultation is essential.
– In each such place after the flood wave, we are afraid that salmonellosis may appear there, viral hepatitis may appear there – says Marek Waszczewski, press spokesman for the Chief Sanitary Inspector.
The most important message regarding diseases in flood-affected areas is as follows:
– We do not have any alarming signals at the moment, which does not mean that you should not take care of your health – says Marek Waszczewski.
Flood water is also dangerous for animals
First, if you live in a flood-affected area, you should not drink or use water from wells or reservoirs for cooking, even after the flood wave subsides.
– We advise against treating water yourself. The well should be pumped out, disinfected, and then the water should be tested – comments Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski, Chief Sanitary Inspector.
The mayor of Brzeg on the situation in the city
Secondly, if someone uses the water supply network, they should follow the official announcements of the sanitary inspection in their region. Thirdly, food. Food left or stored in flooded areas may be spoiled and contaminated. Consuming it – as the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate states – may cause illness or even death.
– Even if it is potentially hermetically, tightly, packaged food, everything is suitable for disposal – informs Agnieszka Mastalerz-Migas.
Floodwater is also dangerous for animals. If they have been in contact with it, it is worth consulting a vet.
Main image source: TVN24