From earthquakes and forest fires to hurricanes and floods, the damage that occurs during natural disasters can be catastrophic. And once the actual event is over, it can take weeks, months, even years to rebuild destroyed homes and communities.
During the natural disaster, the focus is on survival and saving as many lives and homes as possible. But once the immediate danger is over, other dangers take their place. Power may be down, pumping stations unable to provide clean water, waste water pipes break, and flood waters can carry many germs, spreading infections. Infections can also spread among evacuees because of overcrowding, particularly in prolonged situations. All these infections can trigger sepsis among victims and emergency workers.
Cuts in the skin leave an open pathway for germs to enter the body. Germs transmitted through the air may enter your lungs when you breathe in. Others may enter through your gastrointestinal tract. This occurs if you put your hand to your face or if you eat or drink contaminated products. Sepsis, which was often called blood poisoning, is the body’s life-threatening response to infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Sepsis and septic shock can result from an infection anywhere in the body, such as pneumonia, influenza, or urinary tract infections. Worldwide, one-third of people who develop sepsis die. Many who do survive are left with life-changing effects, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), chronic pain and fatigue, organ dysfunction (organs don’t work properly), and/or amputations.
Normally, fungal spores stay where they are and you would not have contact with them unless you disturb them. Disasters such as earthquakes and tornadoes can push fungal spores into the air. These spores can cause lung, sinus, or skin infections. Any of these infections can trigger sepsis.
Fungal infections usually affect people with impaired or depressed immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or who are taking corticosteroids, or who have no spleen. However in a disaster situation, with the unusual amount of fungal spores in the air, even seemingly healthy people could develop a fungal infection.
Bacterial infections can be spread through contaminated water, food products, or from person to person, depending on the infection. For example, leptospirosis spreads through animal urine from farm animals and others, including rodents, wild animals, and even dogs.
Animal and snake bites are also a concern during a natural disaster. Many displaced or disoriented animals may lash out, biting humans. In a disaster situation, it can be difficult to properly clean the wound and get medical help quickly. People may also develop necrotizing fasciitis, the so-called “flesh eating” disease from bacteria in contaminated water that entered the body through a cut, scrape, or bite.
Cholera, a bacterial virus, is frequently found in developing countries with contaminated water resources. It is considered to be one of the biggest infection threats when a natural disaster occurs.
Viral infections, such as hepatitis A, can spread through contaminated water, but viral infections as a whole may be more of a concern in close quarters that are housing many people, such as crowded shelters. The infections may be as common as a gastroenteritis, with vomiting and diarrhea, or others, such as influenza or rubella.
Parasitic infections such as dysentery are spread through contaminated water, and standing water in tropical climates encourages breeding of mosquitoes, which can transmit infections like malaria.
After the initial effects of a natural disaster, different levels of government, non-government organizations (NGOs), and volunteers must assess the situation and deal with the aftermath. Clean water and proper sanitation are priorities. Access to medical assistance is also important.
First responders and volunteers who enter dangerous zones, such as flooded areas, must be watchful for any wounds, no matter how slight. They must clean and dress them properly, and monitor for any signs of infection. People who enter areas that potentially have fungal spores in the air must wear respiratory masks.
To reduce your risk of contamination during or after a natural disaster, keep up-to-date on your routine vaccinations and if you are traveling to a country that has different vaccination requirements, follow those as directed. Consult your local government offices to see what emergency supplies to have on hand.
We can’t prevent natural disasters from occurring. But we may be able to reduce our risk of injury or infection when one happens.
If you suspect sepsis, call 9-1-1 or go to a hospital and tell your medical professional, “I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SEPSIS.”
Read about a new Sepsis Alliance Institute training for disaster medicine professionals here.
Suggested Citation: Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis and Natural Disasters. 2022. https://www.sepsis.org/sepsisand/natural-disasters/
Updated November 7, 2022.
Well my story started with my duty as a search and rescue expert performing rescue operations during the recent hurricane (Hurricane Harvey) that struck Houston Texas, August 25, 2018. During the storm there were many calls to rescue support for ground rescue and the coast guard for aerial rescue. I was assigned for ground rescue and during on rescue operation the lady that I was rescuing began to panic and we both lost footing and we were swept away in a rapid storm surge. I swallowed a lot of contaminated water after I surfaced 30 feet from my rig and ... Read Full Story
Submit Your StoryView More StoriesFrom earthquakes and forest fires to hurricanes and floods, the damage that occurs during natural disasters can be catastrophic. And once the actual event is over, it can take weeks, months, even years to destroyed rebuild homes and communities.
