Johnson County Public Health Recommends Immunization Checks for People in Flooded Areas

Via Johnson County Public Health

During times of flooding, people are often concerned about receiving a booster dose of tetanus vaccine. Individuals are generally advised to receive a routine tetanus booster dose every ten years. The same recommendations that apply at any other time also apply during a flood.
 
“There is generally no need for mass tetanus immunization programs during flooding, and it is not a standard recommendation,” said Johnson County Public Health Director, Doug Beardsley. “However, if you know you will be working in flood prevention and recovery efforts, don’t know your immunization status, or it’s been longer than five years since you had a tetanus booster, you should consult with your health care provider about a tetanus vaccination.”

People working in and around flooded areas may be at increased risk of injury, and it’s important they check their immunization status to see if they need a tetanus booster vaccine.  In recent years there have been outbreaks of pertussis (whooping cough) in Iowa. Although flood waters are not associated with pertussis, the routinely recommended Tdap vaccine is beneficial because it protects against both tetanus and pertussis. If you need a booster dose of vaccine, contact your health care provider.  

For those who must come in to contact with floodwaters, the best protection is to wear boots and use gloves in order to avoid injuries.  Cuts and scratches should be cleaned with clean soap and water as soon as possible.  If redness or swelling occurs around any injury or you sustain a serious or a deep penetrating wound, contact your physician immediately.

Outbreaks of communicable diseases after floods are rare. Increases in infectious diseases that were not present in a community before the flood are usually not a problem after a flood. The greater health threat comes from carbon monoxide poisoning (due to the indoor use of gasoline powered generators), electrocution, wound infections, hypothermia and worsening of chronic illnesses.

For more information on tetanus, visit the Iowa Department of Public Health website at: http://www.idph.state.ia.us/CADE/DiseaseIndex.aspx?disease=Tetanus.  

For information about flood-related health issues, visit  www.idph.state.ia.us/EmergencyResponse/Flooding.aspx.