Many of the recommendations we learned in pandemic: Take extreme precautions, wash your hands frequently, use masks, PPE, gloves, and protective glasses are applicable to this entire post-DANA situation. explains it Ana Allende, CSIC researcher at the Segura Center for Soil Science and Applied Biology and remember that “the ideal is to stay away from the water.”the reason is that “stagnant water and, to a greater extent, if it accumulates sewage, remains of garbage and waste represents a high risk of infection”that is, water can become “a vector for pathogenic microorganisms, hence the urgency of evacuating and cleaning that water. Contaminants may also remain in the sludge, which will have to be determined in the future if they are really going to represent a danger to the population.”
People with illnesses and open wounds, away from stagnant water
Allende repeats that no one should be exposed to this water and mud, and if there is no choice but to work with it, it is essential to protect ourselves with all the equipment at our disposal. Furthermore, the CSIC researcher warns “what no one who had or has an open wound or people who have an illness or immunosuppression should really be in contact with the water, pBut we know that recommendations cannot always be followed. because obviously las news that we receive is that a large part of the population is still very exposed to these infections,” he points out and warns, that from the images that we can see in the media, “it gives the impression that volunteers go to these scenarios more prepared than the neighbors themselves who have been there for several days, as if they were immune for having been exposed, however they must also take extreme precautions.”
Expand tetanus vaccination
you have to have Keep in mind that during these cleaning tasks and trying to evacuate water and mudcuts and blows are very frequent. For this reason, Allende warns, “neighbors and volunteers who participate in these tasks must do so with Maximum caution when protecting these wounds, avoiding direct contact with these waters. Furthermore, it would be reasonable try to expand vaccination of tetanus for all those people who they may be participating in these tasks right now“.
Washing clothes in the washing machine at high temperatures is enough to disinfect
Once we have finished our day, it would be enough to wash the clothes in the washing machine at a high temperature. LMicroorganisms do not usually remain in fabricsthey do not usually survive for a long time, they need water, they need nutrients but in clothing, once you wash it at a suitable temperature, they should not remain, according to the expert.
Watch out for mosquitoes in the coming days
Although there has been some occasional drop in temperatures in the area, Allende affirms that “it that we were evaluating since the Emergency Committee of the CSIC is that perhaps in the next few days, because we know that the temperatures are going to continue to be high, be attentive to the posible appearance of mosquitoes in case they could be vectors of disease. Remind the population that the moment they begin to see that mosquitoes appear in water populations, which alert youlet them see it so that it can be “to try in some way and thus prevent greater evils from coming.”
This Monday, the Ministry of Health It reported on the risks of infection and explained that “when asked about the risks that water contamination by human or animal corpses could pose: There is no scientific evidence that they are a significant risk of epidemic diseases (cholera, typhus and others) after a natural disaster. Most microorganisms do not survive long in the human body after death. The infections that could cause these problems are not epidemic in Spain. If infections do occur, they are more likely to come from the survivors themselves. Even so, it is possible that some water or sludge is contaminated and transmits digestive infections, causing diarrhea or vomiting.. In the event of any discovery, it is essential to contact the authorities and professionals with specific training. Stagnant water poses a significant risk because it can harbor pathogens and attract disease vectors, such as mosquitoes, increasing the risk of infections. Avoid contact and follow cleaning, feeding and safety recommendations.”
Other Health advice for neighbors and volunteers are: “Make sure the water is drinkable.”also to brush your teeth. If you cannot ensure this, use bottled water. Wash your hands with soap before handling any food. Do not consume products that have been in contact with water or mud. Airtight cans or jars can be boiled for two minutes after cleaning and allowed to dry for one hour. If you have suffered power outages, do not eat food that was in the freezer and refrigerator and have not maintained the optimal storage temperature. Also, store food in a dry place protected from water, separate from the floor and walls.”
