BUNCOMBE COUNTY, NC – October 29, 2024 – After a major flood, the risk of becoming ill with gastroenteritis – an ailment of the stomach and intestines – is higher. Gastroenteritis is characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, headache and muscle aches. The illness can occur from eating spoiled and contaminated food. Hurricane Helene was instrumental in knocking out power lines and damaging the public water supply including the transport system of pipes and its water reservoir. Food spoilage is due to inadequate refrigeration and contamination is from inappropriate hand hygiene, food handling, and cleaning and preparing food.
The city of Asheville has been on a boil water notice because of the damage to the public water supply. Although running water has been restored to 99% of its customers, it is not safe for drinking, washing hands before preparing food, and washing dishes in a dishwasher that doesn’t heat its water to at least 170 degrees. There is no evidence of any contamination of the water with the commonly tested bacteria associated with disease, but there is an abnormally high level of particles in the water that cause it to appear cloudy. Additional chlorine has been added to reduce the amount of potential disease-causing organisms. Water customers who obtain their public water from the city of Asheville will probably have to wait more than a month before having drinkable running water again.
On October 29, Dr Jennifer Mullendore, the Buncombe County Medical Director, spoke at a public briefing and issued a press release about the abrupt rise in the number of people coming down with gastroenteritis here since Hurricane Helene.
To reduce illness and protect health, Dr. Mullendore recommends:
- Use clean water like bottled or boiled water for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth. Water must be brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute. Avoid well water until disinfected and tested.
- Clean your hands before eating or preparing food, after bathroom use, and after contact with animals. Wash hands with soap and clean water or use sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Clean food prep areas with soap and clean water or use a bleach solution (1 tbsp bleach per gallon of water).
- Keep food safe to eat by discarding unrefrigerated meat and dairy products, cooking food thoroughly and eating it while hot, and avoiding raw foods unless you’ve peeled them yourself.
Listen to the full report below:
Contact: Dr. Dick Needleman, Health reporter, 103.3 AshevilleFM, [email protected]
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