Heavy rain and flooding across Western Queensland have prompted health authorities to issue a timely reminder to affected residents to look after their safety and health and that of friends and neighbours.

Central Queensland Public Health Unit Environmental Health Services Manager Angela Rea said all Western Queensland residents should be aware of the increased risk of infection if people came into direct contact with polluted waters.

Wound infections, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, and ear, nose and throat infections can occur.

All wounds should be immediately cleaned, disinfected, and kept covered.

“You should also consider avoiding flood water and mud if you have broken skin or wounds, especially if you have diabetes or other chronic diseases,’’ Ms Rea said.

Floods may also increase the risk of diarrhoeal conditions and bacterial diseases such as leptospirosis and melioidosis, with melioidosis already proving to be a major concern in flood-affected North Queensland.

Both leptospirosis and melioidosis can cause fever, you should seek medical advice as soon as possible if you develop a fever following contact with floodwater.

You should also seek medical advice if you have other symptoms of potential infection, including headaches, muscle aches and pains, redness, swelling and heat of an affected area, cough, sore throat or difficulty breathing, diarrhoea or vomiting, stomach cramps, swollen lymph glands.

“To minimise health risks, do not swim in floodwater and ensure that you and your children keep away from stormwater drains and creeks,” Ms Rea said.

“And avoid wading even in shallow water, as it may be contaminated – if you must enter shallow flood water, wear solid boots or shoes for protection.’’

People cleaning up flood-affected areas should wear sunscreen, insect repellent, boots, gloves and a hat, drink plenty of water and clean and cover wounds.

Ms Rea said frequent washing of hands was essential.

“Always wash your hands with soap and water before handling food, and after handling pets that may have swum in contaminated water,’’ she said.

“If drinking-quality water is not available and hands look clean, use an alcohol-based hand rub. For hands that are dirty or feel gritty, wash hands, and then apply an alcohol-based hand rub.’’

Ms Rea said carbon monoxide poisoning also was a real risk for people near a petrol-powered generator or pump if these were used in an enclosed area.

“Make sure generators and pumps are situated in well-ventilated areas, preferably outside,’’ she said.

For more information on recovery from disasters visit:

http://www.health.qld.gov.au/disaster/storms/default.asp

For information on water-borne bacterial infections such as leptospirosis and melioidosis, visit:

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/condition/infections-and-parasites/bacterial-infections

Food safety

Maintaining food safety after an emergency also was important, especially if power had been cut or food had been in contact with contaminated floodwater, she said.

"Eating food that has not been refrigerated for some time can lead to gastrointestinal illnesses which can be serious. These illnesses can cause vomiting, diarrhoea or sepsis (blood poisoning),’’ she said.

After an emergency, it is recommended that you dispose of:

• food that has been in contact with floodwater
• food that has an unusual odour, colour or texture
• refrigerated food that has been left unrefrigerated or above 5°C for more than four hours
• frozen food after 48 hours (if the freezer is full) or after 24 hours (if the freezer is only half full). If frozen food has partially thawed, the food should be eaten as soon as possible
• canned food where the can is open, swollen or damaged, or has a missing or damaged label
• food containers with screw or twist caps, snap-lids, crimped caps (soft drink bottles) and flip tops.

Water safety

It may also not be safe to drink water from a rainwater tank during or after a disaster. Always boil water for drinking, cooking, hand-washing and infant washing if uncertain.

Rainwater tanks and bore water holding tanks impacted by floods are likely to contain harmful organisms and may also become breeding sites for mosquitoes.

To reinstate tanks, they will need to be emptied once it is safe to do so and cleaned and sanitised on the inside. Any plumbing, guttering, downpipes, and roof surfaces will also need to be cleaned and sanitised.

People should contact their local water tank supplier for advice on the best sanitation method for their tank. You may need to hire a professional tank cleaner.

More information about drinking water during and after a disaster is available on the Queensland Health website: Drinking water during and after a disaster | Queensland Health

Mosquitoes and black flies

Ms Rea said heavy rain and flooding also provided ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes and black flies – more commonly known as sandflies in the Western Queensland region.

“Wearing long, loose, light-coloured clothing and insect repellent, using insect spray, mosquito coils or plug-in devices at home, emptying containers around your yard and repairing insect screens are all ways to prevent getting bitten by mosquitos.’

Ms Rea said personal repellents containing DEET or Picaridin tended to last longer than other repellents, depending on the concentration.

More information on black flies is available at: http://conditions.health.qld.gov.au/HealthCondition/condition/20/122/814/black-flies

More information about mosquito-borne diseases is available at: http://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/all/prevention/mosquito-borne/index.html