Hurricane Katrina's Effects on Health

“The Main Health Effects of Hurricane Katrina had to deal with the amount of water left behind in New Orleans. Outbreaks of West Nile, mold, and endotoxin levels rising were the biggest concerns. With the flooding came all new types of bacteria from the open water, leaving New Orleans with the little to defend itself. The medical centers were either destroyed or in utter disarray and power was lost for quite a while. The concern that people were going to get sick because of contaminated food or water also weighed heavily on people’s minds. All of the health concerns for New Orleans came from the amount of flood water because there was so much of it, that it was an optimal breeding ground for mosquitoes and water covered everything making nothing truly safe” (Frank, 2012).

Couple in their home that is infested with mold from Hurricane Katrina. 

With mold exposure, comes risk of illness. According to Barbeau, “The health consequences associated with exposure to elevated levels of indoor mold and mold fragments are unclear. Illness associated with fungal exposure depend on the route and magnitude of exposure and the immune status of the person exposed. Inhalation is the most important route of exposure for most fungi, particularly in the indoor environment, making the respiratory system a prime target. Illness associated with mold exposure can be divided into two general categories: infections illness and non-infectious illnesses.”

Mold 

Scientist inside a home infested with mold. They are wearing a mask and suit to help prevent mold exposure. 

While in the Presbytere Museum located in New Orleans, we saw many things that could have effected health during and after Hurricane Katrina, ranging from the lack of water and food among  the people affected and the lack of hygiene care that was able to be provided. Many people were stuck in the Super Dome more than what were supposed to held inside that building. 

Picture of What Was Sent to Survivors of the Hurricane for Water and Food.

Here Describes How Many were Rescued but Left Without Food and Water

Information by Emily Cohoon

Works Cited 

Frank, Brianna. "Health Effects of Hurricane Katrina". Geology and Human Health. N.P, 2012. Accessed 02 Jan, 2018.

Barbeau, Deborah., Grimsley, F., White, L. El-Dahr, J., Lichtveld, M. "Mold Exposure and Health Effects Following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Annual Review of  Public Health, Vol 31: 165-178, 2009. Accessed 02 Jan, 2018.