• Jun 24, 2011

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An advisory* was issued by the Missouri Health Department on June 10, 2011 alerting health care professionals that some people who were injured during the massive tornado have developed secondary fungal infections.

According to this advisory, the fungus is not spread by air, water, food or human-to-human contact. People with immune disorders or chronic diseases like diabetes are more susceptible to this type of infection.

Healthy individuals who have intact skin are at low risk of infection. If you have any health concerns, please speak to your volunteer coordinator about performing an alternate volunteer activity.

If you will be volunteering, please keep in mind these health and safety precautions if you are working around debris:

Wear sturdy shoes with hard soles; consider work shoes or boots
Wear sturdy work gloves to protect your hands
Long sleeved shirts and pants will help protect your arms and legs.
Wash your hands before eating, drinking or touching your nose/mouth/eyes
Thoroughly wash with soap and water any skin abrasions, no matter how small

We highly recommend that you have a current Tetanus shot regardless of the
type of work you decide to do.  (Booster within the last 3 years)

Refer to the US Center of Disease Control and Prevention for additional guidance on responding to natural disaster relief efforts.

http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/
 
*Missouri Health Department Advisory:

http://health.mo.gov/emergencies/ert/alertsadvisories/pdf/advisory61011.pdf

Other Article of Interest:

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x947030590/CDC-to-study-fungal-cases-in-wake-of-Joplin-tornado

http://www.columbiamissourian.com/stories/2011/06/10/aggressive-fungus-strikes-joplin-tornado-victims/

http://www.joplinglobe.com/local/x177906636/Number-of-fungal-cases-climbs-to-12

Please perform your own Internet searches on the subject to determine any other risk factors.