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Grand Forks floodwaters pose health threats
Residents urged to take precautions
May 1, 1997
Web posted at: 10:22 p.m. EDT (0222 GMT)From Reporter Joan Drummond
GRAND FORKS, North Dakota (CNN) -- As bacteria-laden floodwaters recede in North Dakota, residents are taking measures to avoid getting sick -- and to keep their spirits up.
Hundreds of people have lined up for tetanus shots, and sought treatment for earaches, upper respiratory infections and asthma.
Health professionals from around the country have gathered at the nearby Air Force base to identify contaminants found in debris. Thousands of homes are soaked in floodwater carrying raw sewage.
"The mud that you may be cleaning up and the things that you may be touching are contaminated with that particular bacteria, and people should not be overly concerned," said Dr. Mark Keim from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.
"It is a pathogen, it can make you sick, but this is a bacteria that normally lives in people," Keim said.
Because there's so much water, experts believe organisms like E. coli, from human waste, will be so diluted they won't pose a serious threat.
"The message is already going out right now to ... wash your hands as frequently as possible," said a worker from the U.S. Public Health Service.
Electrician Jim Steinke isn't taking any chances. He's been cut several times while working to restore electrical power to the city, so he got a tetanus shot to protect himself.
It also could be an itchy summer, as health officials warn that standing pools of water will be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Doctors and volunteer counselors are keeping a close eye on evacuees living in shelters who not only may suffer from physical ailments, but are struggling with depression because of their losses.
"We have some people in denial. We have a lot of tearful people who are just trying to adjust to the situation," said Ann Looby of the American Red Cross.
As with other disasters, the Red Cross plans to provide support services long after the mud is cleared away.
Related stories:
- Canada loses first town to Red River flooding - April 29, 1997
- Flood crest pushes into Canada - April 28, 1997
- Last 400 people ordered out of Red River Valley - April 27, 1997
- Residents win some and lose some to the Red River - April 25, 1997
Related sites:
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- Canadian Red Cross
- Manitoba Flood Information - Government of Manitoba
- University of Manitoba - Flood '97
- CNN - Weather Forecast for Winnipeg, Manitoba
- The Red River Valley Reporter
- Fargo Flood Homepage
- FEMA Spring Floods Watch
- North Dakota Governor's Office - Flood Links
- The Grand Forks Herald: Floodwatch
- American Red Cross - How You Can Help
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