2024-11-06 14:40:00
When we face events like the floods linked to the passage of the “DANA” in recent days in Valencia in Spain, calling on competent rescue teams is not enough. The real challenge is to return the population to the situation before the disaster, limiting the impacts on the health of those affected.
It is unthinkable to think that in the space of a few minutes, you can leave your daily life and find yourself swept away and submerged by the waters or lose everything. However, this is what happened on Tuesday October 29 in several towns in the province of Valencia (in Spain, Editor’s note) following torrential rains which caused ravines and rivers to overflow. Was devastated grande zone which includes densely populated urban centers (around 300,000 inhabitants).
A few days after the disaster, while rescue and clean-up operations are still underway, the question arises as to how the health of the population of these localities is affected.
What response to the disaster?
The cycle of disaster management consists of four stages: prevention, preparation, response and recovery. A few days after the “DANA”, the population and emergency services are still in the reaction phase.
This phase involves the organization and execution of tasks aimed at mitigating the direct impact:
rescue victims,
find the missing and manage the care of the deceased,
provide adequate health assistance to those who need it, i.e. caring for people who have suffered trauma and injuries caused by flooding and providing them with a suitable place for their recovery,
provide shelter to those who had to be evacuated,
ensuring access to basic resources such as shelter, water, food and energy…
In short, stabilize the situation, reduce the risk of bodily harm and reduce the risk of injury.
The action does not stop there: it continues in the recovery phase. During this period, efforts must focus on returning the population to the situation prior to the event, limiting the possible impact on their health. This involves actions in many areas.
On the one hand, health and non-health infrastructure must be rebuilt and the economy and employment must be supported. On the other hand, attention must be paid to the care necessary to deal with not only physical, but also emotional trauma.
The risk of water contamination, shortage of food and medicine
The public health response faced with a disaster must be adapted to the specific risks, depending on the causes and the situation.
It is essential that all bodies of the deceased are recovered as quickly as possible, identified and returned to their families and loved ones. But as experts and international organizations point out, “contrary to popular belief, there is no evidence that corpses represent a risk of epidemic after a natural disaster ».
However, in a situation like the one we are experiencing, if there is a risk of disruption or overflow of sanitation systems, it is the fact that basic needs such as drinking water and electricity are disrupted. which increases the risk of water contamination.
The destruction of communications and transportation infrastructure also hampers the distribution of food, cleaning supplies and medicine. It is important to restore these supplies as quickly as possible. However, some infrastructure has been seriously damaged and it may take a long time to return to normal.
It is imperative to ensure that affected populations have access to clean water, healthy food and energy for cooking. The authorities and the companies responsible for their supply must do everything possible to meet the basic needs of the population, even by temporary means. This helps avoid potential health risks associated with flood waters and stagnant waters which can be a gateway for infectious diseases, particularly gastrointestinal diseases, although it is, in principle, a low risk in Europe.
The population, for its part, must strive to take extreme hygiene measures to avoid contamination of food or kitchen utensils by this water and they must wash their hands properly.
What water carries can be harmful
Additional dangers come from anything that the water may have carried that can cause injury (sharp objects, glass, wood, metal fragments, etc.)
On the other hand, certain chemicals can enter the water which takes everything with it. After spilling or leaking from certain containers – for example, cars filled with fuel – these substances can become toxic.
In Valencia, Spain, after torrential rains in October 2024. Potentially toxic chemicals can be released into the water from car fuel.
Fernando Astasio Avila/Shutterstock
It is therefore important that people passing through affected areas wear good footwear and appropriate protective clothing, that any injuries receive adequate care and that clean-up work is assisted, wherever possible, by personnel with appropriate equipment.
People with pre-existing conditions may see their condition worsen if their usual medications are missing, or if they no longer receive the care and treatment they need, such as dialysis or oxygen therapy. In addition, some of these people may have spent hours surrounded by water, suffering from hypothermia and having difficulty eating or hydrating properly. People in institutions may have been evacuated, but find themselves in a foreign environment which can increase their disorientation.
Finally, it is very important to take into account the mental health risks what does such a situation imply? They can occur in people directly affected as well as in those who come to help them. Particular attention is required for people who have suffered personal losses, who have seen their lives or those of members of their family put in danger, or who have suffered significant material losses (house, personal property, business, workshop, agricultural land, etc.)
After the acute reaction phase, there is also a health risk linked to the possible increase in populations of mosquitoes and other arthropods, particularly when climatic conditions are favorable for their reproduction in stagnant waters. Fortunately, at this time of year this risk is lower than at other times.
Providing care and preventing emotional risks
Food security must be guaranteed, sanitation systems must function and supplies of water, food, energy and medicine must be restored as soon as possible, even if only temporarily.
It is also necessary to provide care to those whose injuries are directly related to the disaster, as well as those with pre-existing illnesses or acute health problems requiring urgent attention.
The public health surveillance system must, for its part, intensify its work of early detection of possible outbreaks or emergence of diseases requiring urgent action.
Precautions should be taken to avoid exposing people in affected localities, as well as those who volunteer to help, to additional risks (wounds, injuries, possible infections, chemicals).
Emotional and mental health risks must be considered now and throughout the response and recovery phases.
Once the crisis has passed, it is important to consider measures of all kinds that can be taken to minimize the effects of future adverse weather events that could be exacerbated by climate change.
This article was written with the agreement of the Spanish Society of Epidemiology.
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**Interview with Dr. Maria Sanchez, Public Health Expert from Valencia, Spain**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Sanchez. The recent floods in Valencia have been devastating, with reports of at least 205 fatalities and extensive destruction. Can you explain the immediate health concerns facing the community in the aftermath?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Thank you for having me. Yes, the aftermath of the flooding presents significant health challenges. The immediate response involves providing medical care for physical injuries, addressing trauma, and ensuring access to clean water and shelter. Contaminated water and disrupted sanitation pose serious health risks, including gastrointestinal diseases. It’s crucial for affected populations to practice extreme hygiene measures to mitigate these risks.
**Interviewer:** What steps are currently being taken to address these health issues?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Emergency services are actively engaged in rescue operations and providing medical assistance. We’ve mobilized public health teams to monitor water quality and distribute necessary supplies, such as clean water, food, and medical resources. Additionally, mental health support is essential as many individuals have been traumatized by the event.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of mental health, how can we support the emotional well-being of those affected?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Support is vital, as many individuals have lost homes, loved ones, or faced life-threatening situations. Community outreach programs are being established to offer psychological support. It’s important to identify those who might be struggling and provide them with appropriate resources. Normalizing conversations about mental health can also help individuals feel more comfortable seeking assistance.
**Interviewer:** Are there any specific measures being taken to prevent water contamination from affecting the health of the community?
**Dr. Sanchez:** Yes, ensuring access to safe drinking water is a top priority. We’re working with local authorities to restore infrastructure quickly. In the meantime, we’re educating the community about the risks of contaminated water and the importance of boiling water before consumption. We aim to prevent any outbreak of waterborne diseases.
**Interviewer:** what do you see as the path forward for Valencia to recover from this disaster?
**Dr. Sanchez:** The recovery will be a long-term process, requiring not just rebuilding infrastructure but also restoring the community’s sense of safety and stability. We need to address both physical and mental health impacts and ensure that economic support reaches those most affected. This disaster highlights the need to strengthen our disaster response systems for the future.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Sanchez, for your insights and the important work you and your team are doing to support the Valencia community during this crisis.
**Dr. Sanchez:** Thank you for bringing attention to these critical issues. Together, we can help rebuild and strengthen our community.
