Metro South Public Health Physician, Dr Mark Stickley says people should be careful of the dangers lurking in floodwater as the flooding recedes and clean-up efforts get underway across the south east.
“People should avoid wading into flood waters as they may contain animal excrement or other biohazards. Also, If you have a sewerage treatment plant nearby that was overwhelmed due to the flood water, you could get bugs into the waterways from that,” Dr Stickley said.
He said particularly, to discourage children and young people from purposefully playing in flooded waterways as the consequences of the unknown could be as harmful as an injury and take a long time to resolve.
“Skin infections can occur when bacteria in the flood water enter the skin through small cuts or abrasions,” he said.
“There is also the risk of ingesting some of this water or transfer from unwashed hands which could lead to gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, and ear, nose and throat infections."
He advises anyone with symptoms of skin irritation, rash or stomach discomfort after interacting with floodwaters to seek medical treatment from a GP early to prevent worsening of symptoms.