Health Issues Related to Floods
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Dr. Frank Bia, an expert in infectious diseases and international health, joined AmeriCares after a 30-year career at the Yale University School of Medicine, where he served as Professor of both Medicine (Infectious Diseases) and Laboratory Medicine (Clinical Microbiology). He was also co-director of the Yale/Johnson & Johnson Physician Scholars in International Health Program for young physicians training at Yale and elsewhere.
Read Dr. Bia's Bio > |
Seasonal flooding occurs in India and Bangladesh (June through September). A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind; in the summer, monsoons most often bring rainfall.
AmeriCares has a long history of responding to floods, including emergency response efforts in Bangladesh (August 2007), Gujarat and Maharashtra, India (August 2005), Mozambique and Venezuela (February and December 2000).
Injury-causing factors:
- Driving of motor vehicles in unsafe, flooded conditions
- Structural instability of buildings, bridges and dams
- Electrical fires, other fires and explosions (caused when floodwaters disrupt/ignite propane & natural gas lines)
- Industrial toxic chemicals released into the water supply
- Carbon monoxide poisoning from generators placed in areas lacking proper ventilation
- Heavy lifting during clean-up
- Displaced wildlife
Common injuries experienced during and after floods:
- Near-drowning
- Exposure, hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature)
- Electrical injuries (caused by downed power lines and displaced batteries)
- Burns
- Lacerations (torn or ragged wounds – often contaminated by the flood waters)
- Animal bites
- Increased risk for communicable diseases due to unsafe drinking water; these include gastroenteritis, typhoid and paratyphoid, fevers & hepatitis A & E.
- Mental health issues
Important medical supplies during and after flooding:
- Water purification treatments
- Wound care supplies (antiseptics, topical antibiotics)
- Antibiotics
- Essential non-medical supplies: mops, buckets, cleaning aids
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AmeriCares is approved by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501 (C) (3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations are tax deductible to the extent provided by law. AmeriCares Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 061008595.
