Gulf Coast faces new health risks

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Gulf Coast faces new health risks

Thu 01 Sep 2005 10:46 am CST

WASHINGTON (myDNA News)

http://www.mydna.com/resources/news/200509/news_20050901_katr.html

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The devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina is readily apparent

from the dramatic aerial views of home, building and property

destruction. While the immediate focus of emergency workers has been

on saving lives and unfortunately retrieving the dead, a less

visible, but potentially long-lasting round of health threats emerge

in the form of waterborne diseases.

Experts warn that as sewage plants have been overrun by the flood

the water is likely contaminated with bacteria, viruses and

parasites - E. coli, cholera, salmonella, dysentery and hepatitis A -

any of which can cause potentially life-threatening diarrhea and

stomach infections. There is also fear that the water is or soon

will be contaminated by toxic chemicals from gasoline, industrial

wastes, agricultural runoff and garbage.

Dr. , an infectious disease specialist at the

University of Miami medical school, warns on the public health

dangers, " It looks like the public sanitation system in New Orleans

and the southern Gulf Coast has been compromised. " Although

says it is too early to fear an outbreak of illness, he believes

local authorities have a daunting task at hand.

Although skin contact with the floodwaters alone won't cause

illness, any minor cuts or scrapes could cause infections or even

tetanus. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report

eating or drinking anything contaminated, even holding food in an

unwashed hand, can cause infections.

" The public health problems left in the path of Hurricane Katrina

are indeed enormous. Getting an adequate supply of potable water and

providing a means for people to wash their hands before handling and

ingesting food will be an important initial step in preventing many

of these infections that are transmitted by oral ingestion, " said

Jack D. Bissett MD, member of myDNA.com's Medical Advisory Board and

Austin infectious disease specialist. He continued, " The crowded

living conditions in the shelters also create serious challenges in

preventing the spread of communicable diseases. "

The floodwaters will probably cause the growth of mold, which can

affect respiratory conditions such as asthma or emphysema and the

standing water will undoubtedly breed a swarm of mosquitoes which

could harbor the West Nile Virus.

One issue that turns out to be more hype than reality is the fear

that dead bodies will add to water contamination as public health

officials report disease-carrying organisms do not live on dead

bodies.

To learn more about disaster preparedness and recovery, or to donate

to the National Disaster Relief Fund, please visit the American Red

Cross Web site.