Communicable Diseases & Preventive Measures in a Disaster

In a disaster, whether it's an earthquake, a hurricane or a bomb going off, the initial destruction is usually just the beginning of the problems you might face. One concern that few people consider is that following a disastrous event, you may be at higher risk of communicable diseases due to poor sanitation and an unclean water supply. By taking a few simple steps now to become prepared, you can protect you and your family from the illnesses that often run rampant after a disaster.

A Clean Water Supply

• In the aftermath of a disaster, clean water is among your highest priorities. Broken water mains, contamination from untreated floodwaters and malfunctioning sewer systems can taint water, and make it a disease hazard.

  Cean water on hand is paramount. In the event of a disaster, immediately stop the drains and fill every bathtub in your home. Bathtubs hold several gallons of water, which can meet your family's needs for several days.

  Consider storing water in sturdy, food-grade water drums that you can keep in your garage or basement. Water storage drums are available in a variety of sizes. In an emergency, each member of your family needs 1 gallon of clean water a day for drinking and cleaning. You should have at least three days worth of clean water on hand.

  In the event that an emergency situation outlasts your water supply, you can treat water with iodine. Iodine treatment eliminates risks from bacteria, but not from chemical contaminants. In most circumstances, this is adequate. Add 10 drops of iodine per qt. of water and allow it to sit for a half hour before drinking. The water won't taste good, but it will be safe.

Basic First Aid

• Proper first aid supplies can also help reduce the spread of communicable diseases. Wearing gloves and a mask while bandaging wounds or helping sick people can cut down on your risk of infection. That in turn reduces the risk of you spreading a disease to others.

  A basic first aid kit should have a box of latex or other non-permeable gloves, a box of surgical masks, topical antiseptic ointments, and lots of sterile bandages.

Good Hygiene

• Good hygiene cuts down on the spread of disease whether you're facing a disaster or just a regular day. If there is a disease spreading in your community during an emergency situation, set aside extra water for good hand-washing practices. Remind everyone in your family to regularly wash their hands, especially before eating and after using the restroom.

  It's also a good practice to avoid touching your face as much as possible when the disease risk is high. Most bacteria and viruses enter the body through the nose, mouth and eyes via your hands.

Supplements to Have on Hand

• Immune support during a natural disaster is especially important. It's likely you won't have access to your normal diet and you'll be under a lot of stress. Both suppress your immune system and make you more susceptible to illness.

  Echinacea, colloidal silver, olive leaf extract, vitamin C, grapefruit seed extract and astragalus all help to support your immune system. It's not necessary to take every one, but having one or two on hand to take in emergencies can give your immune system what it needs to deal with the extra strain. Supplements that support the immune system can help to keep you and your family healthy in the aftermath of a disaster.