HEALTH WARNING: What Lurks In The Water

Post-Tropical Cyclone Sandy may have passed, but what she has left behind has the possibility of being more life threatening than her 85mph winds

 

On Monday, October 29th, post-tropical cyclone Sandy swallowed the mid-Atlantic region. Sandy's powerful storm surge has caused unprecedented flooding. My home state New York and its sister state New Jersey has taken on the brunt of Sandy's floodwaters. The floodwaters are very very slowly reseeding. Three days post Sandy; many are still knee deep in standing water.

Floodwater can often contain infectious organisms and bacteria like E. coli, salmonella, and even typhoid, according to the @CDC. Be very cautious and avoid wading in film-covered water. The standing water contains fecal material from overflowing sewage systems and gasoline. Do not use water you suspect or have been told is contaminated to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, or make ice or baby formula. For more information on how to protect yourself and your family, visit CDC’s Cleanup of Flood Water.