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Abstract While hurricanes are known to cause immediate destruction through flooding and strong winds, pathogenic diseases as a result of hurricanes are less recognized. Evidence shows that airborne opportunists and waterborne diseases are more common in the environment after hurricanes, as are visits to the emergency room for respiratory and skin ailments. In addition, infections that result from overcrowding tend to increase in shelters while mosquito-borne viruses can increase in number over the long-term. Understanding the effect of hurricanes on these pathogens in the environment can help public health professionals and the public be better prepared when major hurricanes occur, as well as decrease the incidence of illness and death after a hurricane.
Introduction
2017 was a year of extreme hurricane activity in Texas and Puerto Rico, with lasting effects that will not quickly be forgotten. Extensive flooding and damaging winds are usually the first concerns that come to mind when people think about hurricanes such as Harvey and Maria. Few people immediately think about pathogenic diseases when discussing major tropical weather systems. News reports can remind people to use caution during power outages and to not eat food that is preserved in suboptimal refrigeration temperatures. The public can be reminded to drink bottled water instead of using tap water after hurricanes. Interestingly, secondary effects from hurricane destruction do play a subtle role and are likely undetected and undiagnosed in many cases. Several scientific studies indicate that after hurricanes, there is an increase in cases of some pathogenic diseases. In addition, statistical evidence indicates increases in emergency department and physician office visits by patients reporting symptoms of a variety of conditions. Other evidence shows that the risk itself is greater for contracting certain illnesses following hurricane damage due to a greater presence of organisms in the environment during and after hurricanes in comparison with before the storm.
Potential Pathogens in the Environment After Hurricanes
Failed levees lead to damaging flooding following major hurricanes, leading to breaches in municipal water systems. This occurrence can cause mixing of sewage water and drinking water or cause increases in runoff from farmland, causing animal waste to leach into drinking water (Renaissance Computing Institute, 2012). After Hurricane Sandy, farmlands became flooded and municipal waste treatment plants were under water,...