Public health considerations following a weather event
Floodwater is often contaminated by sewage, animal and household waste, and soil and mud that has been stirred up. While floodwaters may have receded, people may still be exposed to infection risks after contact with flood-affected water, soil and mud. Staying out of flood waters and the risk associated with wading/swimming in flood waters/flood affected creeks due to possible sewage contamination.
Infections and diseases caused by flood-affected water, mud and soil include, gastroenteritis, skin and wound infections including cellulitis and impetigo, leptospirosis, tetanus and less common conditions such as melioidosis. Listen to your local radio and TV station or check your local council’s website (if possible) for updates on the safety of drinking water supplies.
If you rely on a private drinking water supply that you believe may be contaminated by flood waters, you should seek an alternative source of drinking water. After flooding, mosquito activity can increase due to the presence of standing/stagnant water. The best protection from mosquito-borne illnesses is to take appropriate action to avoid mosquito bites.
Clean up after disaster safely - ensuring people wear appropriate clothing (long sleeved shirts and long trousers, eye protection, enclosed and protective footwear and robust gloves), washing hands regularly before preparing or eating food after participating in clean up activities; potentially wearing face mask and protective eyewear when hosing areas with soil contamination or hazardous material.
Encourage people to check if they are up to date with tetanus vaccination and seek vaccination from their GP or community pharmacist (where available). Tetanus vaccination
The most common presentations to primary health care after extreme weather events typically relate to injuries sustained during the weather event or in the recovery clean up. Any wound other than a clean, minor cut is considered ‘tetanus-prone’. Deep, penetrating wounds, wounds that contain foreign bodies like wood splinters, and wounds that are obviously contaminated by soil and dust are considered particularly prone to tetanus.
Consult the Australian Immunisation Handbook for information about tetanus.
Other vaccinations
There is no requirement for hepatitis A, cholera, or typhoid vaccination for people exposed to Queensland flood water or flood mud. These infections occur sporadically in Queensland, most often following overseas acquisition. These infections are not currently circulating in Queensland. They do not present a significant enough risk to warrant vaccination following the response to this extreme weather event.
To minimise health risks when recovering from a severe weather event, Queensland Health urges people to be aware of:
In the wake of TC Alfred, the environmental conditions have heightened the risk of infectious diseases. Skin infections, diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory infections, and mosquito-borne illnesses are more common after cyclones and floods in Queensland. While large-scale disease outbreaks are rare, it is important to remain vigilant during the recovery period.
Useful websites:
Public Health Advice for disaster management
- This site has public health topics such as:
- Pools and water tanks after a flood
- Bacterial infections after a flood
- Food and drinking water
- Mould after a flood
- Floodwater contamination
- Asbestos after a flood
- This site has public health topics such as:
- Asbestos during and after a flood
- Drinking water during and after a disaster
- Food safety after a disaster
- Health and safety during and after a disaster
- Medication safety in a disaster
- Mosquitoes and black flies in a disaster
- Mould after a disaster