What is the greatest danger in a flood or sewage backup?
The greatest danger is not the risk of disease, but the risk of electrocution or explosion. Do not enter a flooded basement or light matches until the utility companies have shut off the gas and electric service. Q: How do people get an illness from flood water or sewage? A: The illnesses people get from the aforementioned organisms are called fecal -oral diseases. People get these diseases when they get feces or stool in their mouth – often from dirty hands. Fecal-oral diseases are spread in two ways: • Direct contact with flood water, sewage or a person sick with a fecal-oral disease • Indirect contact with flood water and sewage by using objects like toys and furniture or eating food that has touched flood water or sewage. Q: Who is most at risk of getting ill from a fecal-oral disease? A: Fecal-oral diseases are infections of the intestinal tract. Symptoms include fever, nausea, cramps, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have these symptoms and they last longer than two days,
