Category Archives: Waterborne

26Aug / 2022

Water Safety & Emergency Preparedness

woman carrying jugs

August is National Water Quality Month

The United States has one of the safest and most reliable drinking water systems in the world. However, emergencies, such as natural (e.g., hurricanes, floods, and droughts) and man-made disasters (e.g., chemical spills), can damage water infrastructure and/or contaminate water supplies.

Safe drinking water is essential to the health and wellbeing of communities. Every year, about 7.2 million people get sick in the U.S. from diseases spread through water. Knowing how to ensure your access to safe water during & after emergencies can protect you from getting sick.callout

Ensuring Access to Safe Water

Depending on the emergency, your water may be safe to use for personal hygiene and handwashing, but unsafe for drinking and cooking. Or it could be unsafe to use for any reason.

Authorities use drinking water advisories to inform communities about public health threats related to drinking water. Advisories are designed to inform consumers about the situation and provide recommendations on what to do. Advisories usually include one of these warnings: Boil Water Advisory, Do Not Drink Advisory, and Do Not Use Advisory.

If tap water is unavailable or unsafe to drink or use after an emergency, it’s important to know how to make your water safe and where to find alternative water sources inside your home.

Unopened commercially bottled water is the safest and most reliable source of water in an emergency. If bottled water is unavailable, you can make your water safe through boiling, disinfection, filtration, or ultraviolet light.

You may also consider exploring alternative sources of safe water. Water sources can be inside your home (e.g., liquid from canned fruits and vegetables)— or outside your home. Learn about places where you might find sources of water that are safe to use.

Creating an Emergency Water Supply

It’s important to develop a plan to ensure access to clean drinking water at home, the office, the school, or other places where a water-related emergency may occur.

Storing unopened commercially bottled water is one of the most reliable and least expensive sources of water in an emergency. Store at least one gallon of water per person per day for three days for drinking and sanitation. Try to store a two-week supply if possible.

CDC recommends that you keep in mind the following:

Set a reminder to replace store-bought water according to their expiration date and bottles of water appropriately bottled at home every 6 months.

Keep a bottle of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach to disinfect your water, if necessary. The label should say it contains between 5% and 9% of sodium hypochlorite.

Considerations for At-Risk Populations

Consider people’s specific health needs and the conditions in the places where they live when communicating about water preparedness.

Access to and use of safe treated water is often influenced by geographical location and/or socioeconomic status. People living near contaminated sources of water (e.g., aging infrastructure, rural, tribal, immigrant, or refugee communities) may face increased exposure to unsafe drinking water.

Certain populations, including infants and children, people with certain medical conditions, pregnant people, and older adults are at a higher risk of suffering from health issues because of the lack of access to safe water.

  • Infants and young children have unique feeding and hygiene needs during an emergency:
    • Infant formula feeding requires safe water to prepare the formula and cleaning supplies to clean bottles, nipples, and other parts. Find more information and resources for emergency preparedness and response personnel, families, and the public to ensure that children are fed safely during an emergency: Infant and Young Child Feeding in Emergencies (IYCF-E) Toolkit | Nutrition | CDC.
    • It’s always important to change diapers in a safe, germ-free way, but an emergency can make this difficult. CDC offers guidelines and checklists to help parents, childcare providers, emergency responders, and others learn how to prevent the spread of germs while changing diapers during emergencies.
  • Schools, day-care centers, and camps for children can be at risk for outbreaks during an emergency. CDC has available information to help state and local health departments respond to suspected waterborne outbreaks.
  • People who are immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system because of a medical condition or medical treatment may be more susceptible to getting sick.
  • Adults aged 65 and older are at increased risk of infection and disease from harmful germs because of many factors, including reduced immunity, existing chronic illness, and institutional exposure (e.g., exposures at hospitals and nursing homes). Visit CDC’s Promoting Health for Older Adults to learn about this topic.

Similarly, people with limited access to safe water in their homes, grocery stores, or the means to travel to and haul water may find it difficult or even impossible to prepare a home water supply.

Emergency preparedness authorities should account for their communities’ specific needs when developing response plans. CDC offers customizable and printable tools and templates, which include checklists, fact sheets, and press releases that can be adapted to the needs of each community.

Resources

Thanks in advance for your questions and comments on this Public Health Matters post. Please note that CDC does not give personal medical advice. If you are concerned you have a disease or condition, talk to your doctor.

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

Posted by in Disease Outbreak, emergency, General, Natural Disasters, personal health, Preparedness, Waterborne

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30Jun / 2021

Be Prepared for A Day at the Beach

Millions of people in the U.S. have been vaccinated against COVID-19 and are resuming normal activities like going to the beach without a mask.(1)

Be prepared for a day at the beach. Take steps to protect your skin and eyes from the sun, avoid heat-related illness, and stay healthy and safe during your visit.

Know Before You Go

A beachy keen day can turn into anything if you aren’t prepared. Here are some things you should know before you go to the beach.

How to Swim in the Ocean

Swimming in the ocean isn’t like swimming in a pool. Waves, currents, and winds can drain your energy and strength. Rough surf and rip currents are especially dangerous if you aren’t already a strong swimmer and don’t know how to escape them.

Also, consider wearing a life jacket. Properly fitted US Coast Guard-approved life jackets add an extra layer of protection, particularly if you’re not a strong swimmer.

Check the local beach forecast before you leave for the beach and talk to the lifeguard when you get there. If you choose to swim at a beach without a lifeguard, never swim alone. Go with a friend and take a cell phone so that you’re prepared to call 911 for help.(2)

What the Warning Flags Mean

Read the beach safety signs before stepping onto the beach. Once on the beach, look for beach warning flags. They are often posted on or near a lifeguard’s stand. A green flag tells you water conditions are good with a minimal level of risk. The other colors can mean different things depending on the beach.

Water Quality

Germs found in the water and sand (swim area) often come from human or animal feces (poop). Before you plan your visit, check online to find out if the swim area is currently monitored, is under advisory, or has been closed for health or safety reasons. Water contaminated with germs can make you sick if you swallow it. It can also cause an infection if you get into the water with an open cut or wound.(3)

Stay Out of Water with a Bloom

Algae and cyanobacteria (sometimes called blue-green algae) are simple, plant-like organisms that live in the water. Sometimes they rapidly grow out of control, or “These blooms can sometimes produce toxins (poisons) that can make people and animals sick. Blooms can look like foam, scum, paint, or mats on the surface of the water and can be different colors. The types of blooms can differ by location. For example, a common type in the Gulf of Mexico is called Karenja brevis red tide.

Before going to the beach learn tips to help you spot harmful algae and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).

Check for local and state swimming advisories and water quality notices online or near the water before visiting the beach or any other body of water. Follow advisories to reduce your chances of getting sick.

Practice Sun Safety

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. Take steps to protect your skin from sun damage and sunburn which can increase your risk for skin cancer.

Shade

You can reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer by staying in the shade under an umbrella, tree, or another shelter. Your best bet to protect your skin is to use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when you’re outside—even when you’re in the shade.

Clothing

When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts, which can provide protection from UV rays. If wearing this type of clothing isn’t practical, try to wear a T-shirt or a beach cover-up. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors.

Hat

For the most protection, wear a hat that has a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck. If you wear a baseball cap, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck by wearing clothing that covers those areas, using sunscreen, or staying in the shade.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection. Most sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, meet this standard. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.

Sunscreen

Put on broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher before you go outside.

Don’t forget to put a thick layer on all exposed skin. Get help for hard-to-reach places like your back. And remember, sunscreen wears off. Put it on again if you stay out in the sun for more than 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.

#PrepYourHealth for Tsunamis

The beach is a dangerous place to be during a tsunami. Tsunamis do not occur very often. And most that do occur are small and nondestructive. But it’s still a good idea to prepare and know the warnings signs.(8)

A tsunami can strike any U.S. coast, but the hazard is greatest for communities near geologic subduction zones, where large earthquakes can occur. Find out if your beach destination is in a tsunami hazard zone or evacuation zone, and what routes to take in the event of an evacuation.(9)

There are two types of tsunami warnings:

  • An official tsunami warning is broadcast through local radio and television, outdoor sirens, Wireless Emergency Alerts, weather radio, and NOAA websites.
  • Natural tsunami warnings include strong or long earthquakes, a roar (like a train or an airplane) from the ocean, and unusual ocean behavior, such as water receding (or moving away) from the coast. A natural warning may be the first, best, and only warning that a tsunami is on its way.(10)

You may not get both warnings. It’s important to know the differences and respond right away to whichever you get first. Seconds can make all the difference so act immediately.

Move to a safe place away from the water. Get to high ground and as far inland as you can. Follow instructions from local officials. Never go down to or stay on the beach to watch a tsunami.

Stay informed and stay put until local authorities tell you it’s safe.

Learn more ways to prepare for tsunamis.

Resources

References

  1. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html
  2. https://www.weather.gov/safety/ripcurrent
  3. https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/oceans-lakes-rivers/visiting-oceans-lakes-rivers.html
  4. https://www.weather.gov/safety/tsunami
  5. https://nws.weather.gov/nthmp/ushazard.html
  6. https://www.weather.gov/jetstream/prep_you

 

Thanks in advance for your questions and comments on this Public Health Matters post. Please note that the CDC does not give personal medical advice. If you are concerned you have a disease or condition, talk to your doctor.

Have a question for CDC? CDC-INFO (http://www.cdc.gov/cdc-info/index.html) offers live agents by phone and email to help you find the latest, reliable, and science-based health information on more than 750 health topics.

Posted by in #prepyourhealth, & Prevention, algae, Beach, cyanobacteria, earthquake, emergency, evacuation, injury, personal health, Preparedness, public health, Skin Cancer, sun safety, Sunscreen, tsunami, water safety, Waterborne

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05Nov / 2018

Partnerships Help Save Lives When Disaster Strikes

Emergency responders gathered in a circle.

Public health emergencies occur every day across the United States. Tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, floods, infectious disease outbreaks, terrorist attacks, and other emergencies have all occurred within the past few years and likely will happen again. Communities must be ready in the event of a public health emergency – both those they expect and those that come without warning.

Since 2002, CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program has provided funding and guidance to 50 states, four cities, and eight territorial health departments across the nation to protect communities. Planning and exercising plans help ensure that health departments are ready to respond and save lives when emergencies occur.

While we all hope that emergencies never happen, they are inevitable and the true test of any preparedness system. The following stories are examples of how CDC’s PHEP program works with states and local communities to ensure they are ready to respond to any emergency. Some of CDC’s partners include health departments, community organizations, national public health organizations, and private companies.

Restoring California Communities after Devastating Wildfires

A fire truck responds to a brush fire.In 2017, nearly 9,000 fires, almost double the average annual number, burned 1.2 million acres in California. The fires destroyed more than 10,800 structures and killed at least 46 people. However, thanks to years of planning for such events and building a public health infrastructure through the PHEP program, state and local health departments were ready to respond immediately and help their communities recover over the following months.

Through partnerships and support provided by the PHEP program in and around Sonoma County, local officials evacuated more than 1,160 patients from area hospitals and many other healthcare facilities. Additionally, because of the relationship the state built with the California National Guard through the PHEP program, more than 100 volunteer troops cleaned the Sonoma Developmental Center in one day. More than 200 patients with disabilities were then able to return safely to the facility.

Ensuring Access to Medication during an Influenza Outbreak in Maine

Package of Oseltamivir (i.e., Tamiflu) capsulesIn March 2017, an influenza outbreak on Vinylhaven, a remote island off the coast of Maine with a population of about 1,165, sickened half of the island’s residents. The outbreak depleted the medical center’s Tamiflu® supply. Tamiflu® can greatly lessen the severity of influenza but it must be taken early in treatment.

Because of a partnership agreement established under PHEP with the Northern New England Poison Center, local pharmacies, and other organizations, and the Maine Department of Health staff quickly delivered 100 treatment courses of Tamiflu®. As a result, the state successfully reduced the impact of the influenza outbreak on the island.

Responding to a Water Contamination Incident in Illinois

Bottles of water on a conveyor belt.On May 2017, a water main break under a river contaminated water in Cumberland County, Illinois, and left some residents without water entirely. Health department staff funded through PHEP established water distribution sites with bottled water donated by private partners such as Walmart, Coca-Cola, and Anheuser-Busch. Staff also went door-to-door to check on residents and distribute materials about safe water.

The PHEP program ensures public health emergency management systems and experts are ready to respond when emergencies occur. Preparedness efforts throughout the years have saved lives and helped communities return to normal operations as quickly as possible.

From natural disasters to infectious diseases, the PHEP program protects America’s health, safety, and security to save lives. Check out the PHEP Stories from the Field to find out more about how the PHEP program has helped communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from public health emergencies.

Posted by in California, emergency, flu, General, illinois, influenza, Maine, Natural Disasters, PHEP, Preparedness, public health, Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, Response, Sonoma County, Stories from the Field, Tamiflu, Vinylhaven, Waterborne, wildfire

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15Oct / 2018

3 Reasons Why Handwashing Should Matter to You

Unseen woman washing her hands with soap in a sink.

Most of us are familiar with the parental-like voice in the back of our minds that helps guide our decision-making—asking us questions like, “Have you called your grandmother lately?” For many that voice serves as a gentle, yet constant reminder to wash our hands.

Handwashing with soap and water is one of the most important steps you can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to loved ones. Many diseases are spread by not cleaning your hands properly after touching contaminated objects or surfaces. And although not all germs are bad, illness can occur when harmful germs enter our bodies through the eyes, nose, and mouth. That’s why it is critical to wash hands at key times, such as after a flood or during a flu pandemic, when germs can be passed from person to person and make others sick.

Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to reduce the number of germs on them, however during a disaster clean, running water may not be available. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can quickly reduce the number of germs on hands in some situations, but sanitizers do not eliminate all types of germs.

Here are three key reasons why you should always care about handwashing:Your hands carry germs you can't see. Wash your hands.

  1. Handwashing can keep children healthy and in school. Handwashing education can reduce the number of young children who get sick and help prevent school absenteeism.
  2. Handwashing can help prevent illness. Getting a yearly flu vaccine is the most important action you can take to protect yourself from flu. Besides getting a flu vaccine, CDC recommends everyday preventive actions including frequent handwashing with soap and water.
  3. Handwashing is easy! Effective handwashing is a practical skill that you can easily learn, teach to others, and practice every day to prepare for an emergency. It takes around 20 seconds, and can be done in five simple steps:
    1. Wet your hands with clean, running water, turn off the tap, and apply soap
    2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap
    3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice
    4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water
    5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air-dry them

Promote Handwashing in Your Community

Global Handwashing Day is celebrated annually on October 15 to promote handwashing with soap as an easy and affordable way to prevent disease in communities around the world. This year’s theme, “Clean Hands—A Recipe for Health,” calls attention to the importance of handwashing at key times, such as before eating or feeding others, and before, during, and after preparing food.

Learn how you can get involved and promote handwashing at home, your child’s school or daycare, and your local community:

Posted by in disaster, Disease Outbreak, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, Environmental Health, flood, floodwater, flu, General, global handwashing day, Handwashing, hurricane, influenza, Natural Disasters, outbreak, pandemic, personal health, Personal Preparedness, Prepare Your Health, Preparedness, Prevention/Vaccination, public health, Response, school, Waterborne

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04Jun / 2018

5 Communication Lessons Learned from Hurricane Maria

Over-the-shoulder photo of two older women looking down at health communication materials in their hands.

When Category 4 Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico, CDC assembled a team of experienced communicators who were flexible, bilingual, and culturally sensitive communicators. This group of experts prepared to deploy to Puerto Rico on short notice to support the communication needs of the Puerto Rico Health Department. I was asked to lead content development, and as a native Puerto Rican I did not hesitate to go home and help in any way I could.The 2018 hurricane season began on June 1 and will last until November 30. Learn more about hurricanes from the National Hurricane Center at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

I was part of the first team of four health communications specialists who arrived on the island just three weeks after the hurricane. We knew our job was not going to be easy— severe electrical power outage meant that residents had no access to internet, social media, or television. Antennas had fallen during the storm, so there was very limited radio coverage and almost no cell phone connectivity. Large billboards were literally on the ground and newspapers were not circulating widely because there was no way to publish and transport them for delivery.

Hurricane Maria was an unprecedented disaster, exposing residents to an increased risk for foodborne, waterborne, infectious and non-infectious diseases, and other public health risks. We had to figure out how to communicate about multiple health risks to the public, especially to those in rural and isolated communities, when basic resources and services were not available.

We met this challenge head on, and I took away five key lessons that I hope can help other communication responders prepare for the 2018 hurricane season and any future emergency events:

1. Develop Key Messages in Advance

Every natural disaster is unique and emergency responders have to quickly adapt to the ever-changing nature of a crisis. Nonetheless, many key messages can be written before disaster strikes so they can be quickly disseminated before an event, during the response, and in the recovery stages. In disaster planning this is known as a phased approach, and it can save valuable time when in the midst of a crisis response. Before the 2017 hurricane season started, CDC developed a key message reference document for partners to have the most up-to-date science about multiple hurricane-related health threats. The key message document helped us on the ground so we could quickly create and adapt health communication products for Puerto Rican audiences.

2. Identify New Communication Channels

When all primary communication systems and technology fail, communicators must think creatively and adapt to the crisis by identifying new communication channels. In Puerto Rico, we realized that mass producing printed materials was our best bet to get important health messages to the most vulnerable communities. As the response evolved, we identified alternate channels, such as using FEMA’s text messaging capability to disseminate health messages to their subscribers, or using outdoor speakers to run public service announcements in rural areas. We also posted targeted and relevant messages on the CDC en Español Facebook channel. We knew Puerto Ricans on the United States mainland, known as “la diáspora,” were heavily using technology to connect with family and help people on the island, so we posted targeted and relevant digital messages that could be relayed to people in Puerto Rico by word of mouth.

3. Create Culturally Appropriate Materials

Cultural norms influence how people behave, so culture has important implications for emergency communication. For the Puerto Rico response, we translated materials to Spanish and made sure to linguistically and culturally tailor our health prevention messages so they would be relevant with the Puerto Rican audience. Our team made sure to use widely understood terminology in the island to provide clear and localized language, particularly for audiences with low literacy. For example, in Puerto Rico the term “hongos” is widely understood as a translation for “mold” as opposed to “moho,” which is used in other Spanish speaking countries but has a dual-meaning in Puerto Rico. We also implemented a streamlined process for the Puerto Rico Department of Health, and CDC scientists and communication experts to vet, approve, and co-brand the communication materials.

4. Partner Up

We collaborated with the Puerto Rico Health Department to determine our number one priority, which was reaching the most vulnerable communities, including those with no access to clean water, and people who were still in isolated and rural areas. When we heard about military partners who were delivering food and water supplies to isolated communities by helicopter, we gave them boxes of our fact sheets so they could be distributed in these areas. We delivered materials to federal and local government agencies who were doing health assessments in hospitals and shelters. We also provided copies to grassroot and non-profit organizations, and religious and community leaders who went door-to-door to assist residents and organize community events. Through our commitment to partnerships, we distributed over 1.6 million copies of printed materials in a 3-month period. Topics ranged from food and water safety, to carbon monoxide, vector control, mold, leptospirosis, mental health, among others. This included fact sheets, posters, palm cards, and children’s coloring books.

5. Boots on the Ground

Once we started mass producing printed materials, we organized and attended more than 30 community events with partners to disseminate information to the public. We visited hospitals, shelters, disaster recovery centers, schools, and provided information door-to-door in rural communities. Talking with people face-to-face gave us a better understanding of the realities survivors were facing and helped identify public health information gaps in our materials so we could make adjustments.

Learn more

Posted by in communication, emergency risk communication, Foodborne, hurricane, Hurricane Maria, Natural Disasters, Preparedness, public health, Puerto Rico, Response, Waterborne

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08Jan / 2018

In Case You Missed It: Top 10 Posts From 2017

 

In honor of the New Year, we are rounding up the blogs that were most viewed by you, our readers, in 2017.

  1. America’s Hidden Health Crisis: Hope for Those Who Suffer from ME/CFS
    Public Health Matters recognized the 25th anniversary of International Awareness Day for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia. Between 825,000 and 2.5 million Americans are estimated to have ME/CFS, yet this debilitating illness remains largely invisible to most Americans.

  2. John Snow: A Legacy of Disease Detectives
    In 1854, John Snow was the first to use maps and records to track the spread of a disease back to its source. Today, his ideas provide the foundation for how we find and stop disease all over the world. Public Health Matters highlighted the CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service in honor of the birthday of the father of epidemiology and the first true disease detective.

  3. Tips to Protect Yourself from Norovirus
    Every year, 19 to 21 million people get sick with diarrhea and vomiting caused by norovirus. Public Health Matters shared five steps you could take to help protect yourself and others from this virus that can lead to dehydration or more serious illness, especially in young children and older adults.

  4. Why Diarrhea & Swimming Don’t Mix
    While sunburn and drowning might be the health risks that first come to mind when you think about swimming, diarrhea is another culprit. Outbreaks of diarrheal illness linked to swimming are on the rise. Public Health Matters shared five important facts about diarrhea-causing germs at aquatic venues and how to protect yourself and loved ones during Healthy and Safe Swimming Week 2017.

  5. Keep your pets safe in an emergency: 5 things to know
    Many pet owners are unsure of what to do with their pets if they are faced with extreme weather or a natural disaster. June was National Pet Preparedness Month and Public Health Matters highlighted five things you can do to keep your pets safe during and after an emergency.

  6. Get a Flu Shot to Protect Your Heart and Your Health
    People with certain long-term medical conditions, such as heart disease, are at high risk of developing serious complications from flu. Public Health Matters discussed the complications of flu and the important steps you can take to protect yourself and those around you including getting a flu vaccine.

  7. Predicting Community Resilience and Recovery After a Disaster
    After a disaster, the number of people with psychological trauma exceeds the number of people with physical injury by as much as 40 to 1, but there is much more research and emergency response focus on the physical effects of a disaster rather than the psychosocial effects. Public Health Matters interviewed a professor from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health about their innovative model and index to measure resilience in the United States.

  8. Safety Tips Every Contact Lens Wearer Should Know
    Forty-five million people in the United States who wear contact lenses to correct your vision. Eye infections related to improper contact lens wear and care are serious and can lead to long-lasting damage, but they are often preventable. Public Health Matters discussed the science behind some of the important contact lens wear and care recommendations in observance of Contact Lens Health Week.

  9. Preparing for College Life: A Healthy Guide
    Public Health Matters invited our David J. Sencer CDC Museum Intern from the Walker School to guest write a post with tips for fellow graduating high school seniors to prepare to head off to college.

  10. Rural America in Crisis: The Changing Opioid Overdose Epidemic
    In America, 15 out of 100 people live in a rural area. The rate of drug overdose deaths in rural areas has surpassed rates in urban areas, and it is a huge public health concern. Public Health Matters explored how rural areas are different when it comes to drug use and drug overdose deaths, including opioids and CDC’s response to this epidemic.

 

We want to hear from you!

The New Year is not just about reflecting on the past, and as we look ahead to 2018 we want to know what topics you would like to see on Public Health Matters. Please feel free to leave a comment below or send us an email so we can make sure that we are sharing content that is useful and interesting to you.

Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, follow @CDCemergency, or visit us on Facebook so you are the first to hear about new blogs.

Posted by in chronic disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, college, contact lens, COPEWELL, diarrhea, disease detective, drug overdose, Epidemiology, flu, Foodborne, healthy and safe swimming week, heart disease, injury, John Snow, kit, Natural Disasters, norovirus, opioid, pets, Preparedness, Prevention/Vaccination, public health, swimming, Waterborne

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18Aug / 2017

Safety Tips Every Contact Lens Wearer Should Know

close up of a woman putting contact lens in her eye

Are you one of the 45 million people in the United States who wear contact lenses to correct your vision? Eye infections related to improper contact lens wear and care are serious and can lead to long-lasting damage, but they are often preventable.Six out of seven adolescents between the ages of 12 and 17 who wear contact lenses report at least one habit that increases their chances of an eye infection, including: • Not visiting an eye doctor at least once a year • Sleeping or napping while wearing contact lenses • Swimming while wearing contact lenses Parents of adolescents can model and encourage healthy contact lens wear and care habits so their children can develop and maintain healthy behaviors as young adults and adults.

This year, in observance of Contact Lens Health Week, you can learn the science behind some of the important contact lens wear and care recommendations:

Replace your contact lens case regularly.

A significant number of people who wear contact lenses report not replacing their lens case regularly. Even when cleaned properly (by rubbing and rinsing the case with disinfecting solution), contact lens cases can become contaminated over time with germs that can cause infections when they come into contact with your eyes.

Don’t sleep or nap in your contact lenses.

Sleeping while wearing contact lenses increases the risk of eye infection by 6–8 times. Out of every 10,000 people who sleep in their contact lenses overnight, 18–20 every year will get an infection of microbial keratitis. This disease causes inflammation of the cornea (the clear dome that covers the colored part of the eye), which, in the worse cases, can lead to permanent vision loss or blindness.

Whitney, Te’, and Ryan tell their personal stories about how their eye infections affected their lives, and how they changed the way they wear and care for contact lenses.
Whitney, Te’, and Ryan tell their personal stories about how their eye infections affected their lives, and how they changed the way they wear and care for contact lenses.

Don’t swim or shower in your contact lenses.

The germs found in water can stick to contact lenses and infect your eyes. Wearing contact lenses can put you at increased risk for Acanthamoeba keratitis, a severe type of eye infection caused by a free-living ameba commonly found in water. These infections can be difficult to treat and extremely painful, and in the worst cases they can cause blindness.

Wash your hands with soap and water before touching your contact lenses.

Germs from your hands can be transferred to your contact lenses and the lens case. Some germs that cause eye infections are found in the water, so it is particularly important that you dry your hands before touching your contact lenses. Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them every time you put in and remove your contact lenses.

Visit your eye doctor every year.

Don't overlook healthy contact lens wear and care.Wearing contact lenses increases your risk for eye infections and complications. Therefore, it is important for you to have a yearly eye exam if you wear contact lenses. Sometimes eye doctors may recommend that their patients have more frequent eye exams.

The week of August 21–25, 2017, marks the fourth annual Contact Lens Health Week. This year’s theme, “Healthy habits mean healthy eyes,” will promote healthy contact lens wear and care practices.

Learn more

 Dr. Jennifer Cope is a medical epidemiologist and infectious disease physician at the CDC in the Waterborne Disease Prevention Branch. Dr. Cope oversees the free-living ameba program, and supports epidemiologic, laboratory, and communication activities related to free-living ameba infections. She also works with the CDC Healthy Contact Lens Program to raise awareness of contact-lens-related eye infections and the healthy habits that can reduce your chances of getting an eye infection.

Posted by in Acanthamoeba, contact lens, contact lens health week, contacts, eye infections, eyes, Handwashing, microbial keratitis, Prevention/Vaccination, public health, Waterborne

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30May / 2017

Why Diarrhea & Swimming Don’t Mix

 

Kids by PoolThe summer swim season is here, and millions of Americans will be flocking to local pools for fun in the sun and exercise. However, swimming, like any form of exercise, does not come without health risks. The good news is that we can all take a few simple but effective steps to help keep ourselves and other swimmers we know healthy and safe.

While sunburn and drowning might be the health risks that first come to mind when you think about swimming, diarrhea is another culprit. Outbreaks of diarrheal illness linked to swimming are on the rise. And this Healthy and Safe Swimming Week, we want to make sure you know these important facts about diarrhea-causing germs at aquatic venues, like swimming pools and water playgrounds, and how to protect yourself and loved ones.

  1. When swimmers have diarrheal incidents in the water, they release diarrhea-causing germs into the water. For example, a swimmer infected with the parasite Cryptosporidium can release 10–100 million infectious germs into the water. Swallowing 10 or fewer Cryptosporidium germs can make someone sick.
  2. Don't leave your mark at the pool this summerSome diarrhea-causing germs can survive in properly treated water for days. Standard levels of chlorine and other disinfectants can kill most germs in swimming pools within minutes. However, Cryptosporidium has a tough outer shell and can survive for up to 10 days in properly treated water. Outbreaks of diarrhea linked to pools or water playgrounds and caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium have doubled since 2014.
  3. Swim diapers won’t keep diarrhea out of a pool. Using swim diapers might give parents a false sense of security when it comes to containing diarrhea. Research has shown that swim diapers might hold in some solid feces but these diapers only delay diarrhea-causing germs, like Cryptosporidium, from leaking into the water by a few minutes. Swim diapers do not keep these germs from contaminating the water.
  4. Don’t swallow the water you swim in. Swallowing just a small amount of water with diarrhea germs in it can make you sick for up to 3 weeks.
  5. Don’t swim or let your kids swim if sick with diarrhea. We all share the water we swim in. Do your part to help keep loved ones healthy by not getting in the water if you or your children have diarrhea.

CDC’s Michele Hlavsa is a nurse and the chief of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program. As a parent, it is important for her to know how to protect her children from not only diarrhea, but all types of germs and injuries linked to swimming. Michele encourages swimmers to follow a few easy and effective steps each time they swim in a pool or get in a water playground this summer and year-round.

 

Posted by in diarrhea, drowning, exercise, General, germs, Healthy, Preparedness, public health, Safe, summer, sunborn, Swim, swim diapers, swimming, water, Waterborne, Week

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14Mar / 2017

John Snow: A Legacy of Disease Detectives

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Map of cholera cases in Soho, London, 1854. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

John Snow, known as the father of epidemiology, was born on March 15, 1813. This week, we honor the birthday of the first true disease detective.

The Story of the Broad Street Pump

London, 1854: A cramped Soho neighborhood teems with people and animals living in cramped and dirty quarters. A deadly outbreak of cholera is spreading. Doctors and scientists believe it’s caused by “miasma,” or bad air. They theorize that particles from rotting matter and waste are getting into the air and making people sick.

Enter John Snow. An accomplished physician, he becomes convinced that something other than the air might be responsible for the illness. Through carefully mapping the outbreak, he finds that everyone affected has a single connection in common: they have all retrieved water from the local Broad Street pump.

On September 8, 1854, Snow tests his theory by removing the pump’s handle, effectively stopping the outbreak, proving his theory, and opening the door to modern epidemiology.

Valuable Lessons for a Modern Age

In 1854, John Snow was the first to use maps and records to track the spread of a disease back to its source. Today, his ideas provide the foundation for how we find and stop disease all over the world.

We have better, more modern tools now for identifying and tracking illness, like access to state-of-the-art labs and computer systems. We have in-depth knowledge of germs and how they spread. But when we train today’s disease detectives, we still return to the basics. CDC disease detectives are trained to look for clues by asking:

  • WHO is sick?
  • WHAT are their symptoms?
  • WHEN did they get sick?
  • WHERE could they have been exposed to the cause of the illness?

We live in a world where disease can travel across the globe in a matter of hours. This means we must not only apply these basic lessons of epidemiology, but we must constantly be looking for ways to find better answers, faster.

Disease Detectives Make a DifferenceEpidemic Intelligence Service

When outbreaks or other threats emerge, CDC’s disease detectives, some of whom are trained through our Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS), are on the scene. These boots-on-the ground staff, called EIS officers, support over 100 public health investigations (Epi-Aids) each year in the U.S. and worldwide.

CDC’s disease detectives have been instrumental in tracking down threats like:

Anthrax: During the 2001 anthrax outbreak among U.S. postal workers, disease detectives investigated the route of contaminated envelopes and how workers became infected.

E. coli: For the first time, disease detectives conclusively showed that flour was the source of a 2016 E. coli outbreak. Millions of pounds of flour were taken off the shelves, including flour-containing products like bread, cake, and muffin mixes.

Seoul virus: Disease detectives have been working to track and stop an outbreak of Seoul virus, an emerging rodent-borne hantavirus, involving home-based rat breeders this year. The outbreak was first identified after two Wisconsin rat breeders became ill in December and, as of March 13, the investigation has so far included rat-breeding facilities in 15 states, with 17 people infected in seven states.

Like Snow’s map that revealed cases of cholera congregated around the Broad Street pump, we must keep tabs on where and how disease is spreading. Once the source of disease is identified, it is crucial to develop and implement interventions to help prevent people from getting sick. We must remain innovative and creative, like Snow when he removed the handle of the Broad Street pump to stop disease at the source.

References

Posted by in cholera, disease detective, Disease Investigation, Disease Outbreak, EIS, epidemic intelligence service, Epidemiology, John Snow, public health, Waterborne

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22Jun / 2016

Danger in the Water: When Algae Becomes Toxic

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Ever wondered what’s causing the water in your favorite lake to turn red?  Or were the family photos from your river rafting trip spoiled by brown water in the background?

You may be looking at an algal bloom. Summer is upon us and warm weather is the perfect environment for these algal blooms, which can cause a range of problems, from simply being an eyesore to becoming a harmful algal bloom (HAB) that can make people and animals sick or damage local environments.

So, what is an algal bloom?

Red algal bloomAlgae are plant-like organisms that come in a variety of shapes and sizes – ranging from microscopic to large seaweed that may be over 100 feet long. Algae are found all over the planet, and can live in sea water, fresh water, and brackish water (a combination of fresh and sea water). Algae are vitally important building blocks of the food chain and ecosystem.

Algal blooms occur when there are overgrowths of algae, including green, brown, or red microalgae, or cyanobacteria that are commonly referred to as blue-green algae.

Not all algal blooms are harmful; however, when there is fast growth of algae and cyanobacteria that can harm people, animals and the environment, they are referred to as harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs can produce toxins that are harmful to people and animals. The algae and cyanobacteria also reduce the levels of oxygen in the water when they decompose, and these lower oxygen levels may kill other plants and animals in the water.

Can HABs make you sick?

If people and animals are exposed to the toxins produced by HABs through water, food, or air they may experience symptoms that can range from mild to severe. These symptoms may affect the skin, stomach and intestines, lungs, and nervous system.

You may be exposed to HABs while enjoying outdoor recreational activities, while working near a body of water with a HAB, or from drinking water or food that has been contaminated.

  • Between 2009 and 2010, three states reported 11 outbreaks associated with HABs after people were exposed to freshwater in a recreational setting. These accounted for nearly half of all reported outbreaks associated with untreated recreation water that year.
  • Between 2007 and 2011, 273 people became sick after eating food that was contaminated as a result of a HAB. These illnesses were reported after people ate fish or shellfish contaminated with HAB toxins.

Are HABs increasing?

There is evidence that HABs are occurring more often, and that they are becoming more severe due to climate change, farming practices, and storm and wastewater runoff.  It is important to identify when and where HABs occur in order to protect water and food supplies, and to let people know when there may be a problem in their community.

CDC and partners have created the One Health Harmful Algal Bloom System for state and territorial public health partners to report cases of human and animal illness after being exposed to a HAB and environmental data about HABs. Data about the number of people and animals who get sick from HABs, the symptoms they experience after exposure, and where HABs occur is important to understand and prevent HABs and HAB-associated illnesses.

Learn more about HABs from CDC’s Harmful Algal Bloom-Associated Illness website.

Posted by in algae, cyanobacteria, General, HAB, harmful algal bloom, Prevention/Vaccination, public health, water, Waterborne

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