Post-cyclone health hazards you should not ignore

By Dr Aisha Azam

During and after a cyclone ripping through the community, a lot of the conversation is around material damage and how soon one can resume normal life.

There is a tendency to overlook the health hazards that can affect the community after the passage of a cyclone.

The material damage caused by the storms can not only make our homes and surrounding hazardous but can also take a toll on our physical and mental health.

Nevertheless, there are simple measure we can take to minimise the negative effects.

Drink Safe Water

• It is highly recommended to use bottled, boiled or disinfected water for drinking and cooking in the weeks after a cyclone. This is because there is a high chance of the water supply having been contaminated with flood and rainwater which makes is very unsafe.
• Boil water, if you do not have bottled water. Boiling is sufficient to kill pathogenic bacteria, viruses and protozoa (WHO, 2015).
• If water is cloudy, let it settle and filter it through a clean cloth or coffee filter.
• Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute.
• Let water cool naturally and store it in clean containers with covers.

Eat Safe Food

• Throw away food that may have come in contact with flood or storm water. Unsafe food can make you sick even if it looks, smells, and tastes normal. Throw away perishable foods that have not been refrigerated properly due to power outages; also discard foods with an unusual odor, color, or texture. When in doubt, throw it out.
• During and after a power outage: Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible while the power is out.
• A full freezer will keep food safe for 48 hours (24 hours if half-full) without power if you don’t open the door. Your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours without power if you don’t open the door.
• Discard all perishable foods (including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers) in your refrigerator when the power has been off for 4 hours or more.
• All perishable foods in your freezer if they have thawed.
• You can safely refreeze or cook food from the freezer if the food still contains ice crystals and feels as cold as if refrigerated.

Consumption of unsafe water and spoiled food can cause sickness too.

Please seek medical help if you experience symptoms like: nausea, vomiting, stomach pain or diarrhea.

The risk of getting food poisoning increases a lot during and after a cyclone and it is important to observe the above-mentioned precaution as well as seek medical help immediately to avoid serious illness.

Stay away from flood waters

Floodwaters may contain items and substances harmful for your health, such as chemicals, human waste, animal waste, dead animals, pests, bugs and germs that cause infectious disease and sharp objects like glass or metal fragments.

Avoid contact with contaminated water. If you do touch it, wash your hands with soap and clean water if available. If not, use alcohol-based wipes and sanitizers.

In order to avoid mosquito breeding, please empty all stagnant water.

Your mental and physical health

The risk of injury is very high during a cyclone. In case you are injured, get first aid quickly to help heal small wounds and avoid infection. Please ensure that clean water is being used to wash any wound.

During and after a storm, it is natural to experience different and strong emotions. Coping with these feelings and getting help when you need it will help you, your family, and your community recover from a disaster.

• Wash your hands regularly with clean water and soap, especially after cleaning or coming in contact with rain or flood water.
• Connect with family, friends, and others in your community.
• Take care of yourself and each other, and do not hesitate to seek help.

References:

1. https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/health-risks-after-hurricane
2. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/be-safe-after.html
3. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/facts.html

Dr Aisha Khatoon Azam is a general practitioner and has experience of working in vaccine research and clinical trials. Following her MBBS from Pakistan (where she graduated as a gold medalist), she was awarded a scholarship by the government of Mauritius to pursue a Masters in Evidence-based Healthcare from the University of Oxford.