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- Common Illnesses From Exposure to Flood Water
- Skin and tissue infections following superficial cuts, scratches,
abrasions, or insect bites.
- Deep tissue infections following puncture wounds or trauma.
- Gastrointestinal illnesses following ingestion of contaminated
water or food.
- Prevention of Flood-Related Illnesses -- Remember Basic Hygiene Practices
- Always wash hands with soap and water before eating
food and after handling articles contaminated with flood water.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to flood water.
- Wear protective gloves, boots, and eyewear.
- Work cautiously, rest frequently and eat a balanced diet.
- Bathe or shower in clean water as soon as possible after exposure
to flood water.
- Wash clothing before wearing it again.
- Use insect repellents to discourage biting insects.
- Safe Drinking Water Options
- Obtain water from a known safe public water supply or buy bottled
water.
- Haul and store drinking water in clean containers (not old milk
or juice jugs).
- Clear water may be treated for drinking by boiling it for one minutes
or by adding two to three drops of unscented household bleach per gallon.
- Private Well Recommendations
- Do not drink water from flooded wells unless it has been properly
disinfected and then tested for drinking safety.
- Contact your local county health department or extension service
for free flood sampling containers and advice.
- Shock chlorinate and flush a flooded well before submitting
a sample to the Laboratory.
- Shallow wells (less than 100 feet deep) may become contaminated
from nearby flooding. They should be tested to ensure a safe
supply of drinking water.
- Food Safety Recommendations
- Discard all containers with signs of leakage or damage.
- Foods in paper, cardboard, or flexible plastic must be thrown away.
- Discard foods in corked bottles, canisters, and screw-capped
jars or bottles.
- Canned goods may be sanitized and used if the label is removed,
the can is washed in hot, soapy water, and the item is identified
with a permanent marking pen.
- Solutions containing chlorine bleach are not recommended for
cleaning cans because they accelerate rusting.
- Garden produce covered by flood water longer than two days
cannot be salvaged.
- Leafy vegetables cannot be washed adequately to be eaten raw.
- Thawed foods should not be refrozen.
- General Clean-Up After a Flood
- Use non-sudsing cleaning products (Spic and Span, Trisodium Phosphate,
etc.) to wash interior surfaces.
- Use commercial cleaners for fabrics.
- Disinfect sewage-contaminated areas with a solution of household
bleach (1/4 cup per gallon of water).
- Consult professional carpet cleaners before attempting to
salvage carpet or carpet pads.
- Remove flood damaged sheet rock to permit studs and insulation
to dry thoroughly.
- Remove silt, sludge, and debris from ductwork and dry it thoroughly
before reactivating heating/air conditioning units.
- UHL Services to Flood Families
- Free private well tests to qualified individuals
through county health departments.
- Consultation on disease prevention, water and food safety,
and disinfection of environmental surfaces.
- Sources of Additional Information and Assistance
- ISU Extension Service
- Iowa Department of Public Health
- county health departments
- American Red Cross
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
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