Health Risks Rampant After Katrina

Dr. Sean Kenniff On How To Clean Up Safely After a Natural Disaster

(CBS)  We've all seen the horrible pictures of the devastation — towns completely under water with no public services to speak of. And as the flood waters start to recede, people are going to be very tempted to go back to what's left of their homes to start cleaning up and retrieving the personal effects that may have been spared.

Dr. Sean Kenniff, of our CBS station in Miami, advises that this is really only something that should be done with the OK from local officials. If you try to go at it alone, you risk not only serious injury and disease but death because many of these structures are no longer sound.

Kenniff offers advice on how to clean up safely after a natural disaster.

Reentering Buildings Safely:

If you do decide to return home, you should never go at night. You want to be able to see everything in front of you. There will very likely be broken glass and sharp objects on the floor that could injure you.

Before going inside, make sure all the power is off. You don't want to get electrocuted.

If you hear any shifting sounds, get out immediately. Many of these homes are badly damaged and could easily collapse.

If you smell gas, get out right away.

Don't bring children or pets.

There are many other health concerns to be aware of:

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

Even if you are allowed back into your home, there is a good chance you still won't have any electricity. If you have a generator or charcoal burning devices, be sure you never use them inside because you put yourself at risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that can make you sick or even kill you. Symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue. So if you are in your home and begin to feel any of these symptoms, get out.

West Nile Virus:

It's very hot in the Gulf region and it's an area where there are lots of
mosquitoes which can carry West Nile Virus. With West Nile Virus, there aren't always symptoms. Some people, however, do get fevers, headaches, bloating or skin rash. So, if you find yourself outside, be sure to wear insect repellent that contains DEET.

The hospitals in the hurricane region are swamped as it is and really can't take on any more people, so it's up to you to protect yourself.

Cholera:

Cholera is a disease that's associated with the Third World, but people in the hurricane zone may be at risk. Cholera is a very serious diarrheal illness that is caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae.

A person can get cholera from drinking water or eating food that contains the bacteria. The infection is often times mild or without symptoms, but sometimes it can be severe. It can spread rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of sewage and drinking water — which is the case in the hurricane zone.

Typhoid:

Just like cholera, typhoid is not a disease we associate with the United States. It is a bacterial infection and major symptoms may include unusually high fever, headache, loss of appetite, fatigue, abdominal pain and diarrhea.

The main way you get typhoid is if you eat food or drink beverages that have been handled by a person who is shedding S. Typhi or if sewage contaminated with S. Typhi bacteria gets into the water used for drinking or washing food.