The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7463 p120
4 August 2007

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Benevolent Fund: Message to members who are living in or near flood-affected areas

HPA issues health advice for people living in flood-affected areas

Health advice for people living in areas affected by flooding has been issued by the Health Protection Agency.

The HPA stressed that the risk of contracting any illness after flooding is low. “There is no evidence from previous floods, such as Carlisle and Lewes, that bugs in the water caused an increase in gastrointestinal illness and enhanced surveillance by the HPA has not detected increased reports of infection in areas that are currently affected by flooding either,” it said.

“However,” it added, “there is no room for complacency and people in flood-affected areas should be careful to protect themselves against infection and chemical exposure.” As it may not be obvious whether water is contaminated or not, the HPA is recommending that a number of precautions are taken.

• Direct contact with floodwater should be avoided or, if essential, suitable gloves and wellington boots should be worn.

• Hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and hot water after clean up activities and before touching or eating food.

• Items that may have come into contact with floodwater should be cleaned with hot water and household detergent.

• Cuts and other open wounds should be covered with a waterproof plaster.

• Food or drink suspected of being contaminated should be discarded.

• Those who experience an upset stomach following direct flooding or contact with sewage should seek medical advice.

The HPA is now collecting daily, rather than weekly, reports on infection from GPs and NHS Direct. It has also supplemented these with information from local health protection units and is scanning its database of national incidents for any public health events or outbreaks that could be related to flooding.

The HPA has also warned of the dangers of indoor use of portable generators, camping stoves or other gasoline, propane or natural gas devices designed for outdoor use.