New Orleans water unsafe

WASHINGTON, Sep 08, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- Federal officials said the floodwaters in New Orleans show high levels of bacteria and lead and urged those still remaining in the city to evacuate and avoid drinking or coming into contact with the water.

"It's a major health concern," Stephen L. Johnson, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, told reporters during a media briefing Wednesday. "Human contact with floodwater should be avoided as much as possible."

Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast last week and caused severe damage in Louisiana and Mississippi, as well as flooding in New Orleans and other low-lying areas.

The levels of Escherichia coli and coliform bacteria -- an indication of sewage and fecal matter -- "greatly exceed EPA levels," Johnson said. The test used by the EPA only measures up to 10 times the acceptable level and "they hit the maximum" on every single sample, he added.

The contaminated water already appears to have caused illness and death. Dr. Julie Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, said her agency is investigating four people who contracted a bacteria called Vibrio vulnificus, including three people in two different states who died from the infection.

Johnson said the EPA has screened the water for more than 100 chemical compounds, including pesticides and metals, and lead concentrations were found to exceed safe levels for drinking.

"No one should drink the floodwater, especially children," he said.

"The most important message is for people in the city of New Orleans to please cooperate with the evacuation and leave because this water is not going to be safe to drink or be in anytime soon," Gerberding told reporters.

In addition to the V. vulnificus cases, she said there also are reports of gastrointestinal illnesses and cases of infection with Norwalk virus in flood survivors.

Johnson said emergency workers who may have to come into contact with the water should use soap and clean water to wash off all exposed areas. He acknowledged these may not always be available and urged rescue personnel to "please take as many precautions as you can."

Gerberding said the CDC has posted precautions on its Web site that emergency workers could take to protect themselves. These are mainly "common sense" guidelines and include recommendations to wear gloves, boots and facial protection, she explained.

Washing hands also is important to prevent infection, she said, and urged those in the shelters to practice good hand hygiene.

Both Johnson and Gerberding emphasized further testing is being conducted and the condition of the floodwaters could change as levels recede. The EPA is in the process of evaluating oil slicks that have been observed in some areas.

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