The floodwaters that have devastated thousands in Texas are now receding, but even in the aftermath, there can be a host of health hazards left behind. Standing water can contain harsh chemicals picked up as waters washed over roads and other industrial areas, bacteria can infect open wounds, causing dangerous infections, and a host of infectious diseases including E.coli, norovirus and tetanus can be spread easily in areas with flood damage, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease expert at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, said that even as residents start to clean up, they face new health risks.
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After Texas Flooding, Health Hazards Emerge as Water Recedes