Statistics Epi Updates Floods . . . Health and Safety Issues Flooding not only causes considerable damage, but also creates conditions leading to disease, injury and psychosocial problems.
Additional information is available from the agencies listed at the end of the article.
Planning Listen to local radio or television stations for information when flood conditions are present. Major outbreaks of infectious diseases are uncommon after disasters in industrialized countries. The most likely diseases to occur due to flooding are diarrheal and gastrointestinal diseases caused by contaminated water and vector-borne diseases due to increased mosquito breeding habitats. There is also an increased risk of tetanus due to flood-related injuries and exposure to flood water. Increases in respiratory diseases associated with growth of molds and fungi also have occurred after flooding.