Valencia’s “toxic sludge” increases the risk of infections. A serious epidemiological outbreak is much more unlikely

Since the floods associated with the last DANA devastated several municipalities on the Mediterranean slope, especially in the province of Valencia, the warnings from public authorities and other agents have gone beyond meteorological matters. The floods have left behind other health risks, especially those related to communicable diseases.

Debris, mud and water. On Tuesday, October 29, the last DANA caused its worst damage in several municipalities in the metropolitan area of ​​Valencia, as well as in other parts of the east of the Iberian Peninsula. The floods left behind tons of sludge and stagnant water, resulting in a potential health risk. However, it is advisable not to overestimate the risk posed by these circumstances.

infectious diseases. There is an increased risk of infection after a flood. According to the Ministry of Health, this risk can be moderate in the case of diseases transmitted by water and food, leptospirosis and legionellosis, in the first weeks after the events, reducing after four or five weeks.

Health also indicates that there is a low risk of suffering from other types of infections, such as those associated with wounds, respiratory viral infections or those transmitted by vectors.

Leptospirosis is probably the main threat to consider in this context. According to Health, this disease of bacterial origin can appear after torrential rains and floods. The risk is associated with contact with urine or fluids of infected animals and with water or soil contaminated by them or the ingestion of food contaminated by this water. They do point out, however, that transmission between people is “extremely rare.”

Vectors. One of the risk factors already mentioned is that of animals that, generally through their bite, serve as a vector for the spread of infectious diseases. This may be the case for arthropods such as ticks and mosquitoes, or mammals such as rodents.

Mosquitoes are usually one of the most worrying in this context. These insects use stagnant water to reproduce and some species can transmit various diseases, some of them serious. That is why authorities recommend avoiding the accumulation of water in containers and utensils and covering those intended for water storage.

Prevention. Keeping the risk low also depends on each person taking the proper precautions. To this end, health authorities have also published a list of recommendations, including wearing long clothing and appropriate footwear to avoid exposing our skin and, especially, our wounds; pay special attention to protecting our eyes and mucous membranes, using glasses and masks; or keep our hands clean with soap and water, among others.

As the Health Department of the Valencian Government reminds, “children, pregnant women and people with respiratory problems, such as asthma, or with a weakened immune system should not participate in cleaning tasks.”

Although they point out that at the moment “a mass vaccination campaign for the entire population is not necessary,” the health authorities have published a DANA vaccination guide with additional information.

Symptoms to take into account. Another form of prevention is to be alert to the possible appearance of risk symptoms. Symptoms such as high and persistent fever, diarrhea or vomiting, abdominal pain, cough or difficulty breathing, changes in the color of the skin or urine, or the appearance of rashes, among others, can serve as a warning of an incipient infection.

Beyond communicable diseases. Mental health is another of the great victims after a natural disaster. The loss of loved ones or uncertainty can take their toll, leading to the appearance of symptoms associated with both anxiety and depression. Here again the authorities have issued a series of recommendations to follow in these cases.

Is there a real risk? The risk of the appearance of infectious diseases increases in this type of context, but the appearance of a serious infectious outbreak is unlikely. In this sense, Health also clarifies some doubts, such as the risk posed by corpses or whether there is the possibility of outbreaks of diseases such as cholera.

Regarding this last possibility, Health indicates that diseases such as cholera or typhus do not circulate in our territory. For an outbreak to exist, infectious agents must be present, otherwise, no matter how ideal the conditions are, an epidemic is impossible.

In WorldOfSoftware | The other threat from DANA in Valencia: a “toxic” flood due to mud and the risk of sewer collapse

Image | Pacopac, CC BY-SA 4.0