Dorian In Virginia: Floodwaters Could Have Fecal Material

NORFOLK, VA — With Hurricane Dorian causing flooding in some parts of Hampton Roads, officials remind residents that fecal material may be present in floodwaters.

Associated bacteria and viruses can be found with this contaminated floodwater, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Floodwater contact with skin does not pose any serious health risks, but precautions are necessary to avoid illness.

The Virginia Department of Health offered the following tips when coming in contact with floodwaters:

• Wash your hands with soap and water that has been boiled or disinfected before preparing or eating food, after toilet use, after participating in flood cleanup activities and after handling articles contaminated with floodwater or sewage.
• Avoid eating or drinking anything that has been contaminated with floodwater.
• Do not wade through standing water. If you do, bathe and put on clean clothes as soon as possible. Do not let children or pets play in floodwaters.
• Avoid contact with floodwaters if you have open cuts or sores. If you have any open cuts or sores and cannot avoid contact with flood waters, keep them as clean as possible to control infection by washing well with soap. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention. Residents who sustain lacerations and/or puncture wounds and have not had a tetanus vaccination within the past 10 years require a tetanus booster.

For issues with backflow of sewage in homes, health officials suggest:

• Clean up using waterproof gloves and rubber boots.
• Discard absorbent materials such as cloth and rugs.
• Get carpeting steam cleaned.
• Clean walls and hard surface floors with soap and water and disinfect with a bleach solution.
• Wash linens and clothing in hot water.
• Air dry larger items in the sun and spray with disinfectant.
• Disinfect food contact surfaces and areas where children play.

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Dorian Virginia: 24K Power Outages, Flash Flood Warning
• Hurricane Dorian Norfolk: Flash Flooding Reported, Shelters Open
• Hurricane Dorian: Cars Careen Onto Virginia Beach Boardwalk
• Hurricane Dorian Smacks Maryland, NC, Heads North Toward MA