How to protect yourself to avoid illnesses caused by DANA-contaminated water

Many people may become ill in the coming days due to exposure to polluted water after the floods in DANA from Valencia. The list of diseases that can be contracted when working in mud is quite extensive. For this reason, volunteers attending cleanups are advised to protect themselves with items such as masks, gloves, goggles or rubber boots. The same was recommended for those affected by the flood. But are they the only ones? measures to be taken?

The reality is that no. First, you need to take into account a number of measures to avoid gastrointestinal diseases. Mud contains more than just contaminated water. Many of these cities have survived no drinking water supplyso if they don’t have enough bottled waterthey could drink this contaminated water. This should be a last resort and, if there is no other option, it should be boiled first. In any case, the ideal option is bottled water, which so many volunteers deliver to DANA victims.

On the other hand, measures must be taken with food. In fact, people who donate food to those affected should take into account some tips to avoid getting sick. In short, the measures go much further than the use of gloves and a mask.

Be careful with contaminated food and water.

As we have already seen, you should drink bottled water whenever possible. Otherwise we would have to cook it. As for food, it is important that they do not come into contact with dirt or contaminated water. If they have been splashed a little, they can no longer be consumed.

Therefore, ideally one should resort to packaged products which are consumed at one time, like canned food. This way, since many people don’t have access to a kitchen or refrigerator, they can open the jar, consume the contents, and throw it away without the risk of it becoming contaminated during storage.

As for fruits, ideally you should eat those that they need to be cleaned and therefore do not require washing. For example, this is the case with bananas or oranges. This way, you avoid using contaminated water to wash your fruit or wasting the small amount of bottled water you need to drink.

Also, if we are going to send food to those affected by DANA, it might be a good idea if they high energy foodshigh in protein. Despite this, it appears that food supplies are sufficient and that in addition to food, other items are needed for those people who wish to donate.

Are you going to help those affected by DANA? Check your vaccines

For some diseases that can be contracted through contaminated water, there is a vaccine. This is, for example, the case tetanus.

This disease is contracted by bacteria. Clostridium tetanus, which usually lives in the ground. It can be found in dirt and penetrate wounds causing a serious disease affecting the nervous system. Fortunately, there is a vaccine that prevents this disease, and in Spain it is administered completely free of charge by social services. The only problem is that its usefulness decreases over the years. Memory needs to be managed every 10 years, and sometimes we forget it. So it’s important to make sure we get vaccinated.

But not only that, we must also cover any wound and prevent its contact with contaminated water. This further minimizes the possibility of contracting tetanus.

Use protective measures in contaminated water, but use them correctly.

Yes, we have already seen that they should be used gloves, goggles, masks and boots. In short, wear as little exposed skin and mucous membranes as possible. This includes pants and long sleeves. Contaminated water can enter our body through the respiratory tract or skin. Also when swallowing, although this is easier to avoid.

Now if we use gloves, we shouldn’t touch our faces with them, because then it will be useless. The mask should be changed regularly if possible, as there comes a point when it becomes less effective. We should also wash our hands before and after putting on gloves and masks whenever possible. Since there is no access to water, it is recommended to use hydroalcoholic gel. This is another very useful supply for those affected by DANA.

If you have access to a soul, it is important to use it after harvesting maneuvers. It’s the same with clothes. We shouldn’t sit with dirty clothes if possible in clean rooms. For example, getting into the car on the way home if you volunteered from other parts of Spain. If this is done, it would be a good idea to clean the car afterwards. Clothes should be washed in hot water.

It is clear that some of these measures are not possible in a situation like the one created by DANA. But it all adds up. Taking all possible measures is an excellent option to avoid the spread of diseases through contaminated water.