Posted on 08/31/2005 12:03:48 PM PDT by neverdem
The Washington Post
Dampness, however, could exacerbate asthma
It is likely to be weeks before the health consequences of Hurricane Katrina are known. But recent experience with similar natural disasters in the United States suggests that most deaths will have occurred when people trapped in automobiles drowned, that many survivors have minor injuries, and that large-scale outbreaks of disease will not occur.
In particular, epidemics of cholera and typhoid sometimes seen in the developing world when drinking water becomes contaminated are impossible because the microbes are not present in the population.
Standing water, even when heavily polluted, is not very dangerous in itself, provided people do not drink it and routine medical care of wounds is available. Dampness, however, may lead to some increase in skin rashes and asthma attacks, if the experience of recent floods holds in this one.
Every hurricane has its own personality. Katrina's extreme size and force, combined with the unusual topography of some of the places it struck, may ultimately produce unusual health consequences. But experts were not willing to sketch an out-of-the-ordinary profile for Katrina yesterday.
"We don't have any accurate statistics now in terms of what has gone on," said Tom Sinks, acting director of the National Center for Environmental Health, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"In these circumstances, it usually takes us a certain amount of time to get a needs assessment. You have to have people out in the field collecting information. It can't occur when the storm is hitting and people are hunkered down," he said.
Care in shelters It was virtually impossible to get firsthand information yesterday on Katrina's health consequences to date. Officials at the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals could not be reached by telephone or e-mail.
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
..nevermind that at the press conferences and interviews, I kept hearing anxiety about Cholera...to name just one!
All those people swimming or wading in that slurry of dirty water and chemicals don't have to worry because certain pathogens don't exist? Ahem...maybe but I think the old dictum of 'If it can happen sooner or later it will' applies.
I have to wonder just how many "Typhoid Marys" immigrated to New Orleans.
Don't be fools...
It's common knowledge that bacteria, mold, fungus and viruses just HATE warm, moist environments! /sarc
Ahem,
I have taken several graduate level courses in Epidemiology and Public Health. IMHO this guy is delusional.
Tulane University and several other facillities have stored samples of many fungal and bacteriogical organisms in their labs. Hope they thought to evacuate the germs.
They are so sure of this, are they? I hope they are right.
Hmmm...standing water with crap in it...95 degree heat...sunshine...
Nope, no health hazard there...
Contrary to the beliefs of those in the intellectual, chattering class: their poop, just like everyone's, DOES stink. And for a reason.
Despite the arrogance of those who think we are somehow different than our less fortunate human beings in the Third World, even human poop of the most sophisticated and cultured has plenty of nasty stuff in it. Let it mix with the drinking supply, and lots of people are going to get sick.
Sorry to have to get so crass, but the nonsensical arrogance of some in the intellectual community is astounding.
Whistling past the graveyard.
Bookmark this article.
It's complete and utter BS.
You and I both know it.
This is unconscionable to print!
Geography Complicates Levee Repair
Disease and Coordination Vie as Major Challenges
FReepmail me if you want on or off my health and science ping list. Anyone can post any link as they see fit.
Nice to hear good news!
Oh I think you are right. I also did not notice any mention of such diseases as meningitis, west nile fever, possible rabies from contact with wildlife. Those wild animals that survived will likely be in a very stressed state. Also no mention of the danger of contacting hepatitis and HIV from contact with medical wastes. No mention of food poisoning from contaminated food. How about dysentery (sp) or life threatening diaharrae from polluted water. Especially in the very young and old.
THe New Orleans 9th ward or whatever the very poor area is called, is third world. The only difference is that in the third world people are more civilized when disaster strikes.
Over here in Houston we get a couple cases of Flesh Eating Bacteria every year anyway. Not to mention St. Louis Encephalitis and West Nile.
What's this joker smokin' anyway?
I remember after the tsunami hit in January the news was full of predictions about thousands of people being wiped out by disease. It didn't happen then, so maybe it won't happen with Katrina, either.
LOL.
leprosy on the increase, too....illegals ya know......
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