Mississippi State Health Department Health Advisory

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Storm related public health advisories

October 02, 2002

Mississippi State Health Department officials encourage Mississippians to

heed health advisories during and after the storm to ensure personal health

and safety. The Health Department's mission is " to promote and protect

the health of citizens of Mississippi " through population-based programs and

services. The agency's preparation, prevention and recovery efforts during

hurricanes and other natural disasters are vital in preserving the health of

the state's citizens.

Public health officials may issue health advisories or recommendations

particular to local conditions. Anyone can contact their local county health

department or the State Department of Health at 1-800-489-7670. For more

information, the public can log onto the public health agency's website at

www.msdh.state.ms.us.

Mosquitoes

Mississippi has had mosquito-borne encephalitis cases - such as West

Nile virus - which occur in late summer and early fall, concurrent with

hurricane season. Although mosquito-borne diseases are usually uncommon,

everyone should protect themselves from mosquitoes. Health officials

encourage the public to wear clothes with long sleeves and long pants and to

use insect repellents that contain DEET. If using DEET, one should read the

instructions before using the mosquito repellent product. Products

containing DEET are available from stores and through local and state health

departments. To control mosquito populations, the public can drain all

standing water left in open containers outside the home.

Boil water notices

The Health Department reminds everyone when their water system loses

pressure, the drinking water might be contaminated. After a disaster

resulting in the loss of water pressure on a consumption for one minute or

use bottled water until notified by the water system officials or the Health

Department that your water has been tested or is safe to drink. Another way

to purify drinking water is by adding eight drops of household bleach to one

gallon of water. The public should continue purifying drinking water until

they have been notified by their water supplier that the water has been

tested and is safe to drink.

Residents served by private water wells should take special

precautions to ensure that their drinking water is safe. Sufficient drinking

water should be stored in advance of an anticipated loss of power. Should a

well lose pressure due to loss of power or become submerged, one must assume

the water is contaminated. When power is restored, boil or treat the water

with chlorine prior to drinking or washing dishes until the water has been

tested and proven safe.

Floodwater Health Risks

When a hurricane or tropical storm makes landfall on the Gulf Coast,

flooding usually occurs. Floodwaters may contact fecal material from

overflowing sewage systems and agricultural and industrial waste. Although

skin contact with floodwater does not, by itself, pose a serious health

risk, there is risk of disease from eating or drinking anything contaminated

with floodwater. If anyone has open cuts or sores that will be exposed to

floodwater, they must keep them as clean as possible by washing them with

soap and applying an antibiotic ointment to discourage infection. If a wound

develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention.

Parents should not allow children to play in floodwater areas or use

local beach waters or bayous for recreational purposes until they have been

declared safe by authorities. Children's hands should be washed frequently;

children should refrain from playing with floodwater-contaminated toys that

have not been disinfected.

Mold

Mold can become a problem in a home through sources of indoor moisture

such as flooding, backed-up sewers, leaky roofs, and damp basement or crawl

spaces. For mold to grow, it needs a source of moisture and a place to grow.

Molds are simple, microscopic organisms found virtually everywhere indoors

and outdoors, and when present in large quantities can cause allergic

symptoms similar to those caused by plant pollen.

Health officials say it is common to find mold spores in the air of

homes and growing on damp surfaces. Mold spores primarily cause health

problems when they enter the air and are inhaled in large numbers.

Allergic reactions may be the most common health problem of mold

exposure. Typical symptoms include respiratory problems, nasal and sinus

congestion, eyes burning, sore throat and skin irritation. Allergic persons

vary in their sensitivities to mold, both as to amount and type need to

cause reactions. People with special concerns about mold should consult a

physician if they are having health problems.

One can detect mold in their home if an entry or musty odor exists and

if there is visible water damage. Anyone can look for discoloration and

leaching from plaster. The simplest approach health officials offer: if

anyone sees or smells mold, they have a problem. Unless the source of

moisture is removed and the contaminated area is cleaned and disinfected,

mold growth is likely to occur.

The Mississippi State Department of Health does not recommend testing

as the first step to determine if someone has a mold problem. Reliable

sampling for mold can be expensive and requires equipment not available to

the general public. Residents of individual private homes must pay a

contractor to carry out such sampling, as it is not usually done by public

health agencies.

©Daily Times Leader 2002