Floodwaters not toxic soup, but stay away anyway

Murky, brown floodwater still fills streets and homes in portions of the Rio Grande Valley. And avoiding contact with that water can be a tough proposition.

You're not likely to get sick just by touching floodwater or wading through it, but experts advise residents to take certain precautions to avoid illness.

First, a caveat: Don't expect the Valley to experience a disease epidemic due to the flooding, said Mark Keim, senior science adviser for the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"That rarely occurs in the United States," Keim said. "Floodwater is no more dangerous than if you were swimming in a river or lake. It's not clean water, not pristine like in a swimming pool, but it's not an overly toxic substance."

However, just as in rivers or lakes, floodwater is often dirty and easily polluted by septic-tank leakage, sewage and bacteria, he warned.

The key to avoiding illness associated with floodwater is to practice good hygiene, Keim said. That includes washing your hands with potable water whenever you come in contact with floodwater. Also avoid touching your lips, nose, mouth or eyes and treat any cuts or scrapes immediately with antiseptic.

The CDC further suggests always washing hands before and after preparing food, after using the toilet and after touching anything that has been in contact with floodwater.

If possible, wear waterproof boots and gloves when working in or near floodwater, experts suggest.

Letting children play in floodwater is a bad idea for several reasons, Keim said. The water may contain bacteria that could sicken children if they accidentally swallow it, touch their faces or get it in any cuts they might have. There's also a risk of drowning.

"Once floodwater reaches 12 to 18 inches, it can have quite a bit of force," Keim said. "Children also can drop into holes ... or be swept by a current."

Wash children's hands frequently if they're in contact with floodwater and disinfect any toys that might have been contaminated, the CDC says. Use a solution of one cup of bleach per 5 gallons of water to disinfect.

Monitor any cuts or wounds that were exposed to floodwater. If they become red or swollen, see a doctor, Keim said. If the wound is dirty, you might need a tetanus shot if you haven't received one in the last 10 years.

People exposed to contaminated floodwater could contract bacterial infections that cause diarrhea and stomach distress, or could catch hepatitis A, an acute liver disease, so it's best to play it safe, experts say.

Melissa McEver covers health and environment issues for Valley Freedom Newspapers. She is based in Harlingen and you can reach her at (956) 430-6252.