As one other hurricane threatens the U.S., the aftermath of Hurricane Helene nonetheless poses main threats.
Individuals in areas of the nation that had been devastated by the storm could face quite a few well being dangers.
Fox Information senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel joined “Fox Report Weekend” to debate the severity of the injury, together with folks being injured and displaced from their houses, in addition to 350,000 residents in North Carolina and Georgia who’re nonetheless with out energy.
“Persons are displaced, individuals are in shelters, pets are in shelters, roads are broken, the infrastructure’s going to take months or years to repair,” he stated.
“And meaning post-traumatic stress dysfunction for folks. Meaning anxiousness.”
Along with psychological well being considerations, Siegel emphasised that public well being has turn into a problem following the storm, noting the scarcity of unpolluted water.
The Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) has introduced 7.5 million liters of water to affected areas, however it’s “not almost sufficient,” based on the physician.
“Many individuals are with out water,” Siegel stated. “Many individuals have water that they’re apprehensive could possibly be contaminated.”
Whereas dehydration is a menace, Siegel cautioned that consuming contaminated water can result in dysentery and diarrheal illnesses.
“Individuals [ingest] micro organism, they get sick, then they get dehydrated, then they don’t have water,” he stated.
In keeping with Aquasana, a maker of water filtration programs, boiling contaminated water will help kill off dangerous micro organism and solids, however received’t take away different substances like chlorine or lead.
Even so, Siegel talked about that some Individuals may not have the flexibility to boil their water.
“There’s an amazing quantity of well being dangers happening proper now,” he stated.
“The hospitals are overwhelmed in these areas, and we’re speaking in Appalachia, very rural areas, the place there isn’t a variety of medical care to start with.”
Lack of treatment and correct medical care is one other threat, in addition to folks being displaced from their houses, Siegel added.
“That causes a variety of trauma and stress psychologically,” he stated.
“People who find themselves roaming round which are fearful, which are anxious, get damage. We’ve seen a variety of accidents and there are extra to come back.”
“Neighborhood spirit and neighborhood involvement and serving to your neighbor is admittedly the best way to go,” he went on. “However not if you happen to’re totally remoted.”
For households or family members trying to assist those that have been affected by the hurricane, Siegel inspired them to ship clear water, drugs, antibiotics and first help.
“Don’t enterprise out into areas which are unsafe,” he suggested. “If in case you have a cellular phone working, you actually need to be in contact together with your neighbors, together with your family members, as a lot as attainable.”
Siegel emphasised the significance of getting sufficient medical suppliers accessible throughout the nation to deal with emergencies as Hurricane Milton intensifies.
“We have now to care for our well being care staff as a result of we’re getting a ton of burnout,” he stated.
“We don’t have sufficient well being care staff on this nation for emergencies like this.”
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