After the floods comes disease, parasites and stress, say experts

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

Plagues, Pestilences and Diseases

After the floods  comes disease, parasites and stress, say experts

By Pat Hewitt, The Canadian Press

TORONTO — Residents in southern Manitoba and Quebec not only have to worry about water-damaged homes, but diseases, parasites and the psychological stress that can follow flooding, medical experts say.

The Manitoba government planned to breach a dike on the Assiniboine River and intentionally flood more than 150 properties to protect 800 other homes Saturday.

Roughly 3,000 homes were flooded by the Richelieu River in the Monteregie region south of Montreal earlier this month.

Rushing floodwaters can mix with sewage containing human and animal waste. The combination can contaminate wellwater or food and residents should be concerned, infectious disease experts said.

Sewage contains a host of nasty bacteria, viruses and micro-organisms. Along with E. coli, there's salmonella and viruses that cause gastroenteritis which in turn causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Parasites such as giardia and cryptosporidium, which can cause a bout of diarrhea and abdominal cramps that last for a month are also present.

"One that should worry us, if all the unfortunate equations are coming together, is E. coli," said Dr. Marc Ouellette, an infectious disease expert based in Laval, Que.

Seven people died and about 2,500 others became ill in 2000 when E. coli contaminated the municipal drinking water system in Walkerton, Ont. In 2001, 7,100 people became ill and 1,907 cases of cryptosporidiosis were confirmed in North Battleford, Sask., after a water filtration plant failure. Flooding was not a factor, however, in either case.

Denise Koh, Manitoba's medical officer of health dealing with environmental health, said increased moisture in homes that have water damage can cause mould.

"People who are sensitive to mould may experience increased asthma symptoms or difficulty breathing," she said from Winnipeg. "They can have irritating symptoms such as stuffy nose, irritated eyes, wheezing, skin irritation and mould infections in the lungs."

Injuries from flood prevention efforts or the cleanup are other issues. Residents can also be hit with a psychological impact due to the stress of dealing with significant changes in their homes and livelihoods, said Koh.

Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes that carry West Nile virus and Ouellette said that also could be a concern, although the virus has been in decline in Canada in recent years.

Skin infections from cuts or sores exposed to polluted water are another concern. People should wear gloves and waterproof boots to protect themselves, said Ouellette.

Local authorities will advise whether tap water is safe to use for drinking, cooking or bathing. If water is contaminated, residents should use bottled water or keep water at a rolling boil for one minute to kill bacteria, said Dr. Frances Jamieson, who's based in Toronto. Water purifying tablets are another option.

Residents should also disinfect children's toys that have come in contact with dirty water and throw out those that can't be washed, such as stuffed animals and baby toys, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended.

The Manitoba government provides flood information advice at www.manitoba.ca