image copyrightGetty Images
Caption,Authorities have asked neighbors and volunteers to use protection to clean the streets.
Dangerous bacteria
“The sanitary water networks have been destroyed and there is contamination right now throughout the area. The wastewater has mixed and has spread where the water has passed, which includes pathogenic or potentially pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli, Salmonellaintestinal viruses and some types of parasites such as Cryptosporidium” José Manuel Bautista, professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Complutense University of Madrid, explains to BBC Mundo.
Bautista warns that “this can generate outbreaks of diarrhea, gastroenteritis and diseases of this type.”
image copyrightJM Bautista
Photo caption,Bautista evaluated the risks in an interview with BBC Mundo.
On the other hand, stagnant waters could favor the proliferation of mosquitoeswhich would cause additional risk.
“The cold helps reduce this, but in the Valencia area the weather is relatively good, so there could be cases of mosquito-borne diseases, such as Nile fever. Although it is not common in that area, it could be a potential risk “says the epidemiologist.
tetanus
The president of the Valencian Community, Carlos Mazón, announced that does not rule out a possible epidemic.
This Monday started a tetanus vaccination campaignwhich is currently considered the highest risk disease in the affected areas.
image copyrightGetty Images
Photo caption,In addition to the distribution of food, the authorities are organizing vaccinations.
“He Clostridium tetani It is a bacteria found in soil and in places related to iron and mud. When there are cuts or wounds in low oxygen conditions, this bacteria can grow and contaminate the wounds, which increases the risk of tetanus,” explains epidemiologist José Manuel Bautista.
And he adds that “all the debris in this situation can be exposed to the Clostridium tetani“.
The authorities have especially advised getting the vaccine those who have suffered an injury during cleaning and reconstruction work.
Risk of leptospirosis
Another important health risk in areas affected by the storm is leptospirosis, a bacterial infection transmitted by animals, especially in humid environments.
“This bacteria is found in sewage. With the overflow, bacteria that were contained in closed systems are now have spread with water“, indicates Bautista.
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Photo caption,The chaos caused by the storm favors possible outbreaks.
Leptospirosis can enter the body through small wounds, usually takes between a week and 15 days to manifest, and is treated with antibiotics.
“Epidemiological surveillance is important, since rodents can also transmit this bacteria. All decomposing food and biological remains can attract rats“warns the expert.
The dangers of mud
If there is a common element in most of the images coming from Valencia these days, it is mud.
This brown substance that permeates the streets, buildings and the clothes of those who collaborate in the cleaning tasks also poses a significant health risk.
image copyrightGetty Images
Caption,Mud can contain dangerous bacteria.
“If the sludge comes from sewage or sewage that has overflowed, it could contain pathogenic bacteria that contaminate their hands and, when they get home, their food,” says Bautista.
And he warns that “there could also be chemical waste since, if there is industry in the area, the water could have carried chemicals, which can cause skin infections.
“In addition, in very humid environments when cleaning there may also be a risk of respiratory diseases, since there are fungi and bacteria that can cause infections and this could aggravate the condition of those who already suffer from this type of disease,” he adds.
organic matter
Experts consider it a priority to remove garbage and animal corpses from the streets as soon as possible, since they are dangerous sources of contagious diseases.
“This is decomposing organic matter, which facilitates the growth of bacteria and fungi, as they find nutrients to grow. Furthermore, if the water is stagnant, this contamination spreads,” points out the Spanish epidemiologist.
image copyrightGetty Images
Caption,Trash can impregnate the mud on the streets with bacteria.
The decomposition of organic matter, he explains, “produces bacteria like staphylococcus and streptococcusamong others, that can cause infections related to Salmonellaskin and respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal toxins produced by some of these bacteria, such as gastroenteritis.
“I think this will be one of the most common conditions we could see,” he says.
Source: Ambito
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