Viruses and Toxins Could Remain Even After Flood Recedes

Posted on September 7, 2005

WebMD has a news story about four cases of waterborne disease in the areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina. WebMD says the CDC is investigation four deaths from Vibrio vulnificus.

Vibrio vulnificus is a bacterium that lives in warm seawater. People usually get it by eating contaminated seafood or by exposure to tainted seawater through an open wound. People with weak immune systems (especially those with chronic liver disease) are more vulnerable to it.

Other threats in the flood waters include high levels of E. Coli and lead. Microbiology professor Elizabeth Alm, PhD lists some of the disease threats from the flood waters like cryptosporidiosis, salmonellosis and Viral gastroenteritis. She says these kinds of threats could linger even after the flood waters dry out.

"All of these things could persist in the environment around the flooded area for quite some time," even once the water is gone, says Alm.
"There have been a number of scientific studies that have shown that these bacteria and viruses can persist in sediments [and] soils," she says. "One of the things that we've been looking at in particular is these bacteria. They seem to be pretty stable in the environment."

Other concerns like mold in business and homes that had water in them could also persist post-flood. Many people have allergies to different kinds of molds. Alm also said that some of the toxic chemicals like pesticides and oil could linger in the environment.

HURRICANE KATRINA