Medical
In an emergency situation you do not want to compound the problem by being sick or hurt. It seems like in any weather related natural disaster there follows a medical disaster as well. Just think about it, the health care facilities are damaged as well and communications is difficult. Disease is because of the failure of basic public-health services: sewage disposal and water purification. There is no available clean water for washing, cooking, or drinking. The floodwater drowning the city is contaminated with sewage. Normal sanation is out the window. In fact, pollution and raw sewage may be all over the place especially as in floods where the system backs up and overflows. No power means no air conditioning, no fans, no refrigeration to keep medications stable, and no open pharmacies. No normal prescriptions are filled. No transportation means no access to medical care. Medical care was returned to the 19th century.
Just because the flood is over that doesn't mean the pollution is. Mold can cause lung infections, skin irritations, and other health dangers, especially for those with asthma, allergies, or suppressed immune systems.
You can expect diseases like E. coli, Cholera, Dysentery, Typhoid fever, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Hepititus A, Colds, Flu (influenza), West Nile virus, Salmonella, Tuberculosis and ARS (Acute Respiratory Syndrom). I know this list looks like there are too many diseases. But the fact is, each of these were diagnosed during the Katrina desaster in New Orleans. You can also expect diseases in and from pets or wild animals.
Infectious Disease
In addition to unavailable services, people weakened by malnutrition, lack of sleep, exposure, stress, injuries and infected wounds. The risk of common infectious diseases spreading rapidly in crowded refugee shelters is a big concern.
Imagine you are among the crowed refugees in a shelter... a child with Measles... another with a cold... and another has the Flu... and another with Streep... and another with lice. Because of their closeness, everone is exposed to all of these diseases.
Waterborn Disease
If the water damage was from dirty water, such as storm surge or rising flood waters which could be contaminated by sewage, then the clean up must be more extensive and thorough. In the case of dirty water contamination, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that items such as mattresses, carpeting, carpet padding, upholstered furniture, foam and paper objects, and stuffed toys (unless they can be put in the washer with bleach) be thrown away because they cannot be washed or disinfected.
One last thing to think about... how long will these diseases last as they cycle through the population? Diarreal disease was found in refugees who went to evacuation centers outside New Orleans and in rescuers for three weeks after Katrina and was the most common disease.
Spoiled Food
Disease Control
Sanitation is the key. Proper cleaning is vital because of the likelihood of contamination from floodwater or storm surge. Thorough cleaning only requires simple equipment and cleaners like dish soap and chlorox bleach. Wash and sanatize everything. You can't wash your hands enough. They will transmit disease to mouth, eyes and sores.
Clean hands save lives.
Preparation Sanitation and hygiene items-shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, comb and brush, lip balm, sunscreen, contact lenses and supplies and any medications regularly used, toilet paper, towelettes, cleanex, diapers, soap, hand sanitizer, liquid detergent, feminine supplies, plastic garbage bags (heavy-duty) and ties (for personal sanitation uses), medium-sized plastic bucket with tight lid, disinfectant, household chlorine bleach, vitamins, pescriptions, medications and medical records (stored in a waterproof container), first aid kit, first aid book.
Keep your shots up-to-date... and documented.
Long Term Survival and Disases
Most long term survival diseases are associated with malnutrition. The first disease to show is due to the lack of Vitamin C (Scurvy). Scurvy leads to the formation of liver spots on the skin, spongy gums, and bleeding from all mucous membranes. The spots are most abundant on the thighs and legs, and a person with the ailment looks pale, feels depressed, and is partially immobilized. In advanced scurvy there are open, suppurating wounds and loss of teeth.
Don't skip the vitamins. You may want two types, mulitple with trace minerals and Vitamin C.
Some Interesting Disease links: