Houston residents are threatened by new diseases after the flood.

Screenshot from video

More than 5 trillions of gallons of water hit Houston, Texas, over the course of Hurricane Harvey over 3 days. As of September 5, many sites are still flooded.

Water is toxic, and fallen power lines can mean instant death, reports “Voice of America".

Andrew Pasek tried to find a cat that had disappeared during the flood, and was hit by an electric current in his house, after which he died.

At least two rescue volunteers were electrocuted when their boat came under power lines that had fallen into the water.

Threats to people's health and lives also arise for other reasons. People who fled their homes in a hurry were left without vital medications, such as insulin. Local hospitals and disease control centers are trying to help them. But the large volume of water and daytime temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius are an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes and bacteria.

“Hurricane Harvey brought more than just floods and rain. Standing water, especially in containers, encourages mosquitoes, which can carry many diseases. The psychological state of the affected residents is also a big problem. You should also be concerned about mold in damaged homes,” said University of Illinois Dr. Samuel Dorevich.

There is also a fear that people who have been in the water for a long time in the flood zone may develop multiple resistant infections: staphylococcus, Escherichia coli and other harmful bacteria.

“The wastewater treatment plants are overloaded, so there is a possibility of waste leaking into the water. Therefore, drinking water from the tap is also at risk. Flooding does not allow water treatment facilities to operate at full capacity,” Dorevich explained.

As the water recedes, the problems of mold and respiratory diseases will become more acute. Water-soaked walls, insulation, furniture and carpeting are now becoming hazardous to health.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as public health workers, can help solve these problems, but in some affected experiences and stress can cause long-term psychological trauma, especially for those who have lost all their possessions, friends and relatives because of the hurricane.

Read also on ForumDaily:

What to do if the house is flooded. Flood survivor tips

How to protect your home and wallet if you live in a hurricane zone

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