Last week, the province of Valencia, the towns of Castilla-La Mancha such as Albacete or Guadalajara and the areas of Aragón were heavily affected a DANA (Isolated High Level Depression) unprecedented in Spain. In particular, the municipalities adjacent to the capital of the Valencian Community experienced the most serious catastrophe, with the loss of over 200 human lives and extensive material damage.
After the incident, a large number of volunteers went to the affected areas to help out with various tasks. However, both these people and the local population must take into account that in situations such as floods certain epidemiological risks exist and which must be taken into account Some precautions to prevent diseases.
“These are common sense measures”
This is influenced by Federico Arribas, member and spokesperson of the Spanish Society of Epidemiology (SEE), who however also invites us not to fall into alarmism. In the statements released to 20 minutesthe expert explains that the main risks can be avoided by “taking some of them fundamental precautions that are part of common sense.
“The biggest problem that can exist in these cases,” he explains, “is contact sludge and wastewater who may have remained in the affected areas. “For this reason it is advisable to wear trousers and long sleeves, clothing that covers all the skin, to avoid contact with any waste materials, putrefaction or substances that may be dissolved in the water.”
“Also,” he adds, “there is a obvious water riskalthough it is assumed that the volunteer will not drink the remaining water. It’s not a normal thing to happen in Spain; “If you drink bottled water and avoid eating foods that have been in contact with standing water, there should be no problems.”
“Maximum body coverage”
“We must take into account that among the rubble and waste there may be sharp objects that cause injuries – he explains – therefore we must insist that maximum body coverage and the use of gloves.
“As for the mask, it can protect against splashes and bad odors, but in principle there is no differential risk of diseases that are transmitted through the respiratory tractas has been said and as it could occur in countries with another epidemiology. At most the same applies to crowds of people as we approach the annual flu season,” he adds.
And he clarifies: “Epidemiologically we have not yet seen a important circulation of the virus; The mask would potentially protect against epidemics we see every year such as covid or the flu. “It could be recommended as let’s say for splashes and bad smells but at the moment it is not strictly necessary.”
“In coastal areas there are vectors such as mosquitoes”
Furthermore, Arribas recalls that “the affected areas of the coast are areas that may have a significant presence of infectious vectors such as mosquitoesalthough we did not detect an increased incidence of these diseases. Again, the best way to protect yourself is to wear clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible.”
“At the end of the volunteer days, it would be nice good hand washing and a full shower; and, of course, people who suffer an injury should consult a doctor for the usual procedures,” he advises.
Regarding the precautions that the local population must adopt, the expert cites the main ones in case of water risk: “Logically do not consume waste water nor hermetically sealed foods that have been in contact with them. “Sealed containers such as cans, if allowed to dry and washed before opening, should be safe.”
“The majority are protected from tetanus”
Arribas rejects some of the more alarmist messages, such as the risk of outbreaks serious diseases such as cholera: ”it could occur in other places, but in Spain the causal agent is not present and therefore the alarm is not logical.”
For this reason he does not believe that neither the volunteers nor the local population need additional vaccines (in addition to the usual ones): “the recommendation is to get vaccinated against flu and covid, according to each person’s schedule, to minimize transmission “. because it’s the time of year, not because of this phenomenon. Bacterial agents like it. E. colithat will occur are prevented by hygienic measures. And when it comes to tetanus, most people They are already protected because it is a very widespread vaccine.”
And he concludes: “the main reason for alarm that exists at the moment is the worsening of living and health conditions in many places; the fundamental thing is to underline the removal of this sludge and stagnant water which are sources of risk. Beyond that, you should follow six or seven common-sense precautions without falling into terror.”
References
Óscar Zurriaga, Ángela Domínguez García, Eduardo Briones Pérez de la Blanca, Federico Eduardo Arribas Monzón, Maria João Forjaz, Pello Latasa, Pere Godoy, Susana Monge Corella. After DANA: public health response actions. The Conversation (2024). Consulted online at on November 4, 2024.
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Interview between Time.news Editor and Federico Arribas, Spokesperson of the Spanish Society of Epidemiology (SEE)
Time.news Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Federico. The recent DANA event in Spain has been devastating, particularly in the Valencia region and parts of Castilla-La Mancha and Aragón. Can you provide us with a brief overview of the epidemiological concerns that arise after such a disaster?
Federico Arribas: Thank you for having me. The DANA event has indeed caused significant loss of life and infrastructure damage. Post-disaster, there are several epidemiological risks to keep in mind, particularly due to the presence of sludge and wastewater. It’s crucial for both volunteers and residents to take precautions to minimize health risks.
Time.news Editor: You mentioned the importance of common-sense measures. Can you elaborate on what these measures are?
Federico Arribas: Absolutely. The most critical precautions include wearing clothing that covers the skin, such as long trousers and sleeves, to prevent contact with potentially harmful substances in the water and debris. Volunteers should also avoid consuming water that hasn’t been properly bottled and stay away from any food that may have been in contact with contaminated water.
Time.news Editor: That makes perfect sense. What about protective gear? Are there specific recommendations regarding gloves and masks?
Federico Arribas: Yes, maximum body coverage is essential. People should wear gloves to protect against cuts and scrapes that could lead to infections. While masks can help keep out splashes and offensive odors, it’s important to note that the risk of respiratory diseases isn’t significantly higher in these circumstances. Masks are more of a precaution against COVID-19 and flu, especially with flu season approaching.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of respiratory illnesses, what about the risk of diseases carried by vectors, such as mosquitoes, especially in coastal areas affected by the floods?
Federico Arribas: That’s an important point. Coastal areas may indeed have a significant presence of mosquitoes, which can carry diseases. However, as of now, we have not observed an increase in disease incidence. Wearing clothing that covers as much skin as possible remains the best protection against these vectors.
Time.news Editor: After a long day of volunteering, what can individuals do to best protect themselves from any potential health issues?
Federico Arribas: At the end of the day, a good practice is to wash hands thoroughly and take a full shower. For any injuries, it is essential that volunteers see a doctor to receive appropriate care. Additionally, people in affected communities should not consume wastewater or any hermetically sealed foods that may have come into contact with it. If they ensure that canned goods are thoroughly cleaned before opening, they should be safe.
Time.news Editor: Some have raised concerns about serious outbreaks of diseases, like cholera. What’s your take on this?
Federico Arribas: It’s a valid concern in other regions, but here in Spain, the factors that lead to cholera outbreaks simply aren’t present. There is no reason for alarm regarding that particular disease. Furthermore, regarding vaccinations, the usual immunizations are sufficient. Most people are already protected against tetanus, so no additional vaccines are necessary aside from staying up to date with COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.
Time.news Editor: It’s reassuring to know that the health risks can be managed with common-sense approaches. In light of the disaster and its aftermath, what is the most pressing issue you see?
Federico Arribas: The most pressing issue right now is the overall deterioration of living and health conditions in the affected areas. Ensuring that the local population maintains hygienic practices is crucial to prevent minor health issues from escalating into more serious problems.
Time.news Editor: Thank you for your insights today, Federico. It’s vital for both volunteers and residents to understand these precautions as they recover from such a devastating event. We appreciate your time and expertise.
Federico Arribas: Thank you for having me. It’s important that we all stay informed and proactive in these situations. Together, we can help mitigate the risks associated with such disasters.