MUSCATINE, Iowa — As Louisa and Muscatine counties fight fierce flooding, officials are urging area residents to be aware of potential illness and injury related to the rising waters.

Muscatine County building, zoning and environmental administrator Eric Furnas said improper waste disposal, cleanliness of drinking water, food safety, power outages, electrical hazards and cleanup measures all pose potential risks.

“The key is to exercise caution,” said Furnas. “Especially during and after a flood.”

Furnas said people understandably want to salvage as much as they can from flooded basements and homes, however, he cautions residents to make safety the first priority.

In a press release, Alana L. Poage, a registered nurse and administrator of Louisa County Public Health, said some of the greatest health threats come from carbon monoxide poisoning when people use gasoline-powered generators indoors. Other hazards include electrocution, wound infections, hypothermia and worsening of chronic illnesses.

Staying safe

In a press release, Furnas lists the following steps to avoid flood-related risks.

n Avoid contact with floodwaters as much as possible. Do not wade, swim, or enter flood waters due to the unknown hazards that likely exist. Immediately wash hands and bare skin that comes in contact with floodwater with soap and hot water.

n Be aware that when power goes out, refrigerated food may go bad after two hours, and frozen food may spoil after 24 hours.

n If in a flooded area, use only clean water (bottled, boiled, or treated) for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene such as brushing teeth.

n Be extra careful during cleanup efforts. Keep children and pets out of the affected area, discard any items that cannot be completely washed and disinfected, and watch where you step.

n Only use gas-powered generators/power washers outside in a well ventilated area during clean up.

Some better news

While there are many, preventable hazards that can be avoided, Poage reminds residents that water-borne illnesses do not always pose a threat in flooded areas.

According to Tom Newton, director of the Iowa Department of Public Health, outbreaks of communicable diseases after floods are rare. In addition, increases in infectious diseases that were not present in a community before the flood are usually not a problem after a flood, Newton said.

The Iowa Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention performed a statewide public health assessment after the Flood of ’93 and learned there were no outbreaks of diarrhea, disease or waterborne illness related to the flooding, said Poage.

About tetanus

Poage also said that tetanus booster shots are not always necessary during a flood.

People are often concerned about receiving a booster dose of tetanus-containing vaccine,  Poage said in a press release, but there is generally no need for mass tetanus immunization. Tetanus boosters are not a standard recommendation of the Iowa Department of Public Health, according to deputy medical director Dr. Kenneth Soymi.

Poage said the same recommendations that apply for tetanus shots at any other time also apply during a flood.

A routine tetanus booster is advised every 10 years, and people who are cut or injured and have not received, or are unsure if they have received, a tetanus vaccine within the last five years, should receive a booster.

Details

Online: www.idph.state.ia.us, click on Floods in the Topics of Interest section.

Phone: The Muscatine County Building/zoning/environmental office at 563 263-0482 with specific questions about flood issues.

Tetanus vaccines are available at Louisa County Public Health call 319 523-3981 for more information. Residents who need a tetanus booster and are unable to get to Wapello can contact the public health office to make other arrangements.