The clean-up work in the flood areas is ongoing. Rubbish of all kinds and decaying carcasses pose new problems for the authorities.
Berlin – Around a week after the flood disaster began in North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate, the situation in the affected regions is still dramatic. Many people are missing – but there is another fact that worries the authorities. According to a situation report from the Ministry of the Interior, which is available to the news magazine “Spiegel”, the risk of epidemics is increasing.
The flood disaster destroyed important infrastructure
Not only roads, railroad tracks, bridges, cell phone masts, electricity and gas lines have been destroyed. In many places there is still no running water, rubbish bags with a wide variety of contents are lying around, and mud spread on streets and in houses during the flooding. In addition, there is a lack of blood, undiscovered corpses and rotting animal carcasses – because they have not yet been discovered or there was no way to recover them. Rising temperatures in connection with unsanitary conditions increased the risk of infection for people, according to the Federal Ministry of the Interior.
The affected countries had already warned of a risk of increased corona risks, for example through aid campaigns or accommodation in emergency shelters. “At the moment, a lot of people are coming together in a very small space to overcome the crisis together. We now have to be careful that dealing with the disaster does not turn into a superspreader event, ”said David Freichel from the Corona communications staff of the State Chancellery in Rhineland-Palatinate to the editorial network Germany.
Corona infections in the flood area: health authorities have recognized the danger
The State Ministry of Health is preparing a special vaccination campaign in the disaster areas in consultation with the authorities of the affected districts. Many rescue workers already have full vaccination protection.
“An increased risk of the spread of SARS-CoV-2 could develop primarily through the accommodation of people in emergency shelters,” the RND quoted the Düsseldorf Ministry of Health as saying. The local health authorities are aware of the additional risk. They can be reduced through tests, masks and ventilation.
Ministry of the Interior warns of “epidemics and vermin infestation” after the flood
There is a lack of medication and blood reserves are said to become scarce according to the paper. There is a risk that “epidemics and vermin infestation” could spread. Because of the large amounts of waste, the waste incineration plants would no longer have sufficient capacity.
According to the management report, the destroyed pipes for water, electricity and gas led to major supply problems. “Their restoration could take several weeks, possibly several months,” the “Spiegel” quotes the internal paper. In addition, munitions could have leaked in the Ahr valley (Rhineland-Palatinate). (Tim Vincent Dicke with dpa)
