Virus; and agents of typhoid, paratyphoid and
tetanus. The signs and symptoms experienced
by the victims of waterborne microorganisms are
similar, even though they are caused by different
pathogens. These symptoms include nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, muscle
aches, and fever. Most cases of sickness
associated with flood conditions are brought
about by ingesting contaminated food or water.
Tetanus, however, can be acquired from
contaminated soil or water entering broken areas
of the skin, such as cuts, abrasions, or puncture
wounds. Tetanus is an infectious disease that
affects the nervous system and causes severe
muscle spasms, known as lockjaw. The
symptoms may appear weeks after exposure
and may begin as a headache, but later develop
into difficulty swallowing or opening the jaw.
Floodwaters also may be contaminated by
agricultural or industrial chemicals or by
hazardous agents present at flooded hazardous
waste sites. Flood cleanup crew members who
must work near flooded industrial sites also may
be exposed to chemically contaminated
floodwater. Although different chemicals cause
different health effects, the signs and symptoms
most frequently associated with chemical
poisoning are headaches, skin rashes, dizziness,
nausea, excitability, weakness, and fatigue.
Think of all of these people who are walking through this water with open cuts. There is no way for them to wash the water off. There will be outbreaks of disease.
