Flood Information
July 27th, 2010
Protect Health During Flooding
Jones County is ready to assist residents as they recover from recent flooding. While saving treasured possessions is an understandable priority, personal safety must come first.
Flooding can lead to significant health risks posed by improper waste disposal, cleanliness of drinking water, food safety, power outages, electrical hazards and clean-up measures. To help prevent injuries or illness, Jones County Public Health reminds residents to:
• Avoid contact with flood water as much as possible. Do not wade or swim through flood water.
• Immediately wash hands and bare skin that come in contact with flood water with soap and hot water.
• Be aware that when power goes out, refrigerated food may go bad after two hours, and frozen food may spoil after 24 hours.
• If in a flooded area, use only clean water (bottled, boiled or treated) for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene such as brushing teeth.
• Be extra careful during cleanup efforts. Keep children and pets out of the affected areas, discard any items that cannot be completely washed and disinfected and watch where you step.
• Only use gas-powered generators/power washers in a well-ventilated area during clean up.
For more information, please visit www.idph.state.ia.us.
Tetanus Booster Shots Not Always Needed During Flooding
During times of flooding, people are often concerned about receiving a booster dose of tetanus-containing vaccine. The need for tetanus vaccination during flood recovery depends upon individual circumstances. The same recommendations that apply at any other time also apply during a flood. There is generally no need for mass tetanus immunization programs during flooding, and it is not a standard recommendation.
Individuals are generally advised to receive a routine tetanus booster dose every 10 years. 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 dose of vaccine.
Outbreaks of communicable diseases after floods are rare. Increases in infectious diseases that were not present in the community before the flood are usually not a problem after a flood. The greater health threat comes from carbon monoxide poisoning (due to the indoor use of gasoline-powered generators), electrocution, wound infections, hypothermia and worsening of chronic illnesses.
For information about flood-related health issues, visit www.idph.state.ia.us.
