Why Flooding can be Very Dangerous
The health troubles that flooding can bring. (Photo Credits)
Flooding can be very devastating, not only because of property loss or destruction but also because of the health problems that it can bring. Flooding can bring about fatal illnesses that can spread rapidly within a community. And while cleanliness and sanitation is key, these can sometimes be impossible especially if the nature of the flooding is unexpected.
In its website, the World Health Organization mentioned that there are two major types of diseases that flood waters may carry. These include water-borne diseases, and then the vector-borne diseases.
“Floods may indirectly lead to an increase in vector-borne diseases through the expansion in the number and range of vector habitats. Standing water caused by heavy rainfall or overflow of rivers can act as breeding sites for mosquitoes, and therefore enhance the potential for exposure of the disaster-affected population and emergency workers to infections such as dengue, malaria and West Nile fever. Flooding may initially flush out mosquito breeding, but it comes back when the waters recede. The lag time is usually around 6-8 weeks before the onset of a malaria epidemic.”
Read their whole article here.
Flooding and Over-All Health
Canadian-Based website About Kids’ Health meantime expounded on Water-Borne Diseases brought about by flooding. San Diego, CA
“Different types of water-borne diseases are prevalent in different parts of the world. For example, this time in Mumbai, one water-borne disease expected was cholera. New Orleans, however, is expecting to see mostly cases of hepatitis A. Cholera is an acute intestinal infection, contracted by drinking water or eating food contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Incubation period is usually two to three days. Symptoms include profuse watery diarrhea and vomiting. Rapid loss of body fluids can lead to dehydration and shock, and without treatment, death can occur within hours.” Read the continuation of this article here.
The website Archive Global explained why these illnesses can be very dangerous especially if the flooding takes place in a developing nation.
“While developed and developing countries have an equal probability of being struck by natural disasters, limited-resources countries are often less able to cope with disease outbreaks, particularly as response systems are disrupted during flooding periods. Low-income urban regions are highly susceptible to the spread of infectious diseases due to overcrowding, poor existing health conditions, and inadequate health infrastructure. To compound the problem, mass flooding and monsoons have intensified over the past several decades as a result of rising global temperatures. Climate change contributes to both the frequency and the intensity of heavy rains, heat waves, and rising sea levels, all of which accelerate the transmission of communicable diseases.”
Read their whole article here.
As soon as flooding takes place, it is important that homeowners be proactive in restoring their own homes in the pre-flooded state. Seeking for professional restoration services is a must especially when flood waters have reached the interiors of a home and a part of it has at least been inundated.
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