Protecting yourself and your patients from diseases during disaster clean-up

After a natural disaster, contaminated floodwater and mud can increase your risk of wound infections, diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, ear, nose and throat infections and other serious diseases.

Bacteria can enter the body through any skin break when in contact with floodwater, or by breathing in muddy droplets.

Floodwater is often contaminated by sewage, animal and household waste, and soil and mud that has been stirred up. While floodwaters may have receded, people may still be exposed to infection risks after contact with flood-affected water, soil and mud.

Infections and diseases caused by flood-affected water, mud and soil include, gastroenteritis, skin and wound infections including cellulitis and impetigo, leptospirosis, tetanus and less common conditions such as melioidosis.

If you or anyone you know develops a fever following contact with floodwaters, or has a wound that becomes dirty, red or sore, consult a doctor as soon as possible. If you do see a doctor, please make sure you tell them you have been exposed to floodwater.

Listen to your local radio and TV station or check your local council’s website (if possible) for updates on the safety of drinking water supplies. Follow any advice provided.

If you rely on a private drinking water supply that you believe may be contaminated by flood waters, you should seek an alternative source of drinking water.

After flooding, mosquito activity can increase due to the presence of standing/stagnant water. The best protection from mosquito-borne illnesses is to take appropriate action to avoid mosquito bites.

To minimise health risks when cleaning up after floods, Queensland Health urges people to:

• wear personal protective equipment (PPE), including enclosed footwear, gloves, and mask and protective eyewear if required
• cover cuts, abrasions, or sores with water-resistant dressing to prevent infection
• wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use hand sanitizer after contact with floodwater or mud
• check with their health care provider if they require a tetanus shot after they sustain a wound

Useful websites:

Public Health Advice for disaster management

• This site has public health topics such as:
  • Pools and water tanks after a flood
  • Bacterial infections after a flood
  • Food and drinking water
  • Mould after a flood
  • Floodwater contamination
  • Asbestos after a flood

Flood health and safety

• This site has public health topics such as:
  • Asbestos during and after a flood
  • Drinking water during and after a disaster
  • Food safety after a disaster
  • Health and safety during and after a disaster
  • Medication safety in a disaster
  • Mosquitoes and black flies in a disaster
  • Mould after a disaster