FDOH Urges Those in Gulf Coast Counties to Avoid Contaminated Water

FDOH Urges Those in Gulf Coast Counties to Avoid Contaminated Water

Contact:
Communications Office
[email protected]
850-245-4111

Tallahassee, Fla. — As Gulf Coast Counties work to recover from Hurricane Sally, the Florida Department of Health (DOH) is urging residents to not consume water under a boil water notice.

At this time, water in Gulf Coast Counties may be unsafe for drinking and without electricity, residents are unable to boil water to decontaminate. Further, due to the storm, the overall sanitary conditions have been significantly impacted.

Unsafe drinking water and generally unsanitary conditions can lead to gastrointestinal illness, increased risk of infection and dehydration.

The Department, along with local, state and federal partners, is working diligently to mobilize resources to the affected counties. Restoring power, safe drinking water and sound sanitary conditions are top priorities. Bottled water is being provided to residents who are currently in the affected counties. Also, portable toilets have been staged for use in multiple locations as sewer systems have been breached.

Practicing good hygiene is critical to preventing illness. Residents are urged to use alcohol-based hand sanitizer often and ensure that good hygiene practices are followed during food preparation.

Residents should not eat any food that may have come into contact with contaminated water from floods or tidal surges. Canned food should not be eaten if there is a bulging or opening on the can or screw caps, soda bottle tops or twist-caps. Undamaged, commercially canned foods can be saved if labels are removed and cans are disinfected in a bleach solution. Use 1/4 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water; re-label the cans including expiration date and type of food. Infants should preferably be breast fed or fed only pre-mixed canned baby formula. Do not use powdered formulas prepared with untreated water, use boiled water instead. When the power is out, refrigerators will only keep foods cool for approximately 4 hours – thawed and refrigerated foods should be thrown out after 4 hours.

Local officials will announce when water is safe to drink.

For further information, please contact your local county health department or visit www.FloridaHealth.gov or www.FloridaDisaster.org.

During severe weather and other emergencies, you can count on active alerts from the Department’s official social media accounts. One of the fastest ways to receive official and accurate health-related information is to monitor @HealthyFla on Twitter and on Facebook.

 

About the Florida Department of Health

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.



Originally published at https://www.floridahealth.gov/newsroom/2020/09/091820-fdoh-urges-those-gulf-coast-counties-avoid-contaminated-water.pr.html

business banners

Latest posts

Breaking Boundaries: Hambone Multicultural Folk Art and Recipes Now Available as NFTs

Hambone NFTs Dive into a Digital Tapestry of Culture and History ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES, March 27, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Hambone, the...

$525B in Multifamily Loans Will Mature Through 2029, Reports Yardi Matrix

By the end of next year, loans on 6,800 properties totaling nearly $150 billion are set to mature SANTA BARBARA, Calif., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/...

Westward Look Resort & Spa Introduces Catalina Riding Club

Westward Look Horseback Riding Westward Look Horseback Sunset Westward Look Horseback Trail Ride Westward Look Resort & Spa Tucson’s Historic Resort Showcases Pristine Trails...

West Whiteland Township Announces Auction Sale of Two Properties, Including Historic Barn and Prime Commercial Lot

WEST WHITELAND TOWNSHIP, Pa., March 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- West Whiteland Township is pleased to announce the auction sale of two unique properties in Exton, managed...

Governor Ron DeSantis Appoints Donna Jackson to the Union County Board of County Commissioners

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Donna Jackson to the Union County Board of County Commissioners.   Donna Jackson Jackson, of Lake...

The Missing and Unidentified Persons Event will take place May 4

In recognition of Missing and Unidentified Persons month, the Special Victims Bureau (SVB) Missing Persons Squad (MPS) will be hosting a Missing Persons community...

Digital Health Management Platform LLENA(AI) Health and Southern University Team Up to Support the Community

Southern University Law Center The Health and Harmony Wellness Fair: Screenings, giveaways and services in Baton Rouge, Louisiana - Southern University...
celebrity reality tv