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Lewis County residents facing threat of disease

10:55 PM PST on Wednesday, December 12, 2007

By LINDA BRILL / KING 5 News

Health concerns unfolding in Lewis County

DOTY, Wash. - Threats of E.coli and other diseases have health workers in Lewis County scrambling to hand out tetanus shots and fresh water to flood victims before they get sick.

So far officials from the Lewis County Health Department, who are bringing bottled water to rural areas, say they are not seeing any widespread disease.

But they say the biggest concern is E.coli. Bacteria from farm animals is everywhere - in flood waters, mud and in homes. A mobile hand-washing and shower station was set up in Doty, for families whose homes are surrounded by mud – a toxic mix of fecal matter, dirt and fertilizers.

Tinisha Morgan is battling bacteria as best she can, boiling water and using bottled water. Out in her field, the community well is covered in mud and has been condemned.

"I sterilize everything with boiled water," she said.

In Chehalis, lab analysts test Lewis County water samples.

"People are starting to be very good about disinfecting," said Vickie Metsker.

Residents are urged to get a tetanus shot. A new shipment came in Wednesday.

"It can make you very sick and it can kill you," said Jane Sheldon.

KING

A portable hand-washing and shower station has been set up in Lewis County.

As the holidays near, health officials are preparing to deal with mental health issues as well.

There is help for those suffering from flood-related stress.

There are 14 Red Cross mental health workers responding to the flooding in Lewis, Thurston and Grays Harbor Counties.

Call the Red Cross at 1-866-get-info, or you can call 2-1-1 for assistance.

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