Water is a threat when it flows through streets and houses, but what it leaves behind is also dangerous, although invisible to the naked eye. This is a biological threat. And residents and the services that help them must be prepared for this too.
Flood waters cause more than just property damage. When they recede, they leave behind contaminants that are dangerous to health and life. The elements take everything with them – from waste, through sewage, to animal remains.
– Flood waters are simply mud in which everything flows. Both mineral and biological material, rotten and spoiled food. All of this is useless, so you need to avoid contact with it, such as skin contact if possible, and absolutely do not drink water from all possible sources – warns Professor of Medical Sciences Krzysztof Simon, Head of the Clinic of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology at the Medical University of Wrocław.
“We advise against treating water yourself”
In the coming days and weeks, flood victims will need clean water to drink first and foremost. Domestic wells and waterworks may be contaminated.
– We advise against treating water yourself. The well should be pumped out, disinfected, and then the water should be subjected to physicochemical and bacteriological tests – informs Dr. Paweł Grzesiowski from the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate.
In addition to water, non-perishable food that can be easily protected from contamination will be very important.
– We supervise food through the sanitary inspection. Unfortunately, food flooded with flood water is unfit for consumption and we all need to remember this – emphasizes the Minister of Health from the Civic Coalition, Izabela Leszczyna.
Only what has remained untouched by the elements is suitable for consumption. Even thorough washing of products or heat treatment will not remove all impurities.
– Let's remember that anything that has been in contact with this flood water is unfit for consumption. Let's treat it as simply contaminated. Even if it was tightly closed, unfortunately we have to take into account that it was simply splashed on it, it was soaked in water and the packaging could not have survived it – says Marek Waszczewski from the Office of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate.
When helping others, you must also remember about your own safety
When saving property or helping others, you must also remember about your own safety.
– Work only in specially reinforced protective gloves, optimally also in clothing that is waterproof, so some overalls and, also to consider in closed rooms, masks with filters – instructs Agnieszka Mastalerz-Migas, national consultant in the field of family medicine at the Medical University of Wrocław.
Specialists are going to the flood-hit areas to provide psychological first aidAdrianna Otręba/Fakty TVN
Hands should be thoroughly disinfected after contact with flood water, as the diseases transmitted through it can be very dangerous.
– In the first place for us, viral hepatitis A, but I also remind you: typhoid fever and other rarer diseases, all bacterial infections. – lists Krzysztof Simon.
According to the recommendations of the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, if you have any symptoms of food poisoning, you should immediately contact a doctor or the nearest services.
Main image source: TVN24