Viruses, bacteria and parasites are ingredients in the soup of danger left behind in the stagnant waters left behind by Hurricane Milton.

What’s going on?

Experts warn the people of Florida not to walk in the water left behind after the earthquake. hurricane, Bloomberg reported. That’s because even seemingly clear water can harbor raw human sewage, bacteria, viruses and parasites. According to the publication, storm It caused problems at a number of wastewater plants, including the Falkenburg Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tampa, where 200,000 gallons of partially treated sewage escaped.

Why are these health warnings important?

Accordingly Alabama Public HealthGerms and parasites in sewage can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, cramps, nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue and loss of appetite. Exposure to raw sewage can also lead to Hepatitis A, roundworms, and hookworms.

There are also other dangers lurking in these waters, as Bloomberg reports; In some places, the remaining debris remains hidden under the water.

“(This) can actually cause some serious injuries,” Julia Gohlke, an environmental health professor at Virginia Tech, told the publication.

Breaking out these rashes can also lead to a serious skin infection called Vibrio; This infection occurs when an open wound is exposed to warm seawater containing this bacteria. This can lead to skin disorders and ulcers in healthy individuals and life-threatening diseases in people with weak immune systems. According to Florida Health.

Additionally, stagnant water can attract mosquitoes that spread diseases such as dengue fever, Bloomberg added. For example, the mosquito population in Houston exploded in the wake of Hurricane Beryl in mid-2024. swell In cases of West Nile disease. Waterlogged homes are also home to mold, which can worsen some conditions such as asthma.

As our planet warms, we can expect to encounter more problems with floods. hurricane season. These storms Violence has been increasing over the last 40 years due to overheating of the planet and From where Much more precipitation will fall on land than previously anticipated. This has led to a huge increase in flood risks.

What is being done against the danger of flood?

One way we can help reduce flood hazards from hurricanes is by enacting more robust climate policies. For this purpose you can: vote For pro-climate political candidates

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It is also important that we reduce our dependence on dirty fuels, which are responsible for many problems. 75% Pollution warming the planet. For example, Wales is already banned Most new highway projects to reduce carbon pollution and one in New York law It will require all Lyfts and Ubers to be electric vehicles By 2030.

You too can do your part is changing way to get around. In addition to electric vehicles, public transport, walking and cycling whenever possible are less polluting modes of transportation.

Additionally, some areas are incorporating resilience to climate change into their planning strategies. For example, an architectural firm in Vancouver suggested: renovation The city’s waterfront will struggle with floodwaters instead of fighting them.

These include flood-resistant townhouses with shared terraces and mid-rise buildings with public spaces that can withstand water without major damage. Moreover, it is a project Louisiana Reconnects the state’s wetlands to the Mississippi River to improve storm protection for local communities.

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