Health Minister Hristo Hinkov does not see any significant hygienic and epidemiological risks in the aftermath of fierce storms which ravaged the southern part of the Bulgarian Black Sea coast on September 5. He admits, however, that the withdrawal of the water may leave polluted areas and a worsening hygienic situation.
"There is enough drinking water, but people should be careful about the water they use for washing," Hinkov said on Thursday. He noted that additional sea water measurements may be assigned.
Chief State Health Inspector Angel Kunchev told journalists that there is a health risk after any flood. "To begin with, there are the people who suffer from the water flow itself," Kunchev said. "Another danger at a later point is the possible consumption of contaminated food and water."
Water supply has been restored to all settlements in the disaster area, but water from the mains should be used only for hygienic purposes, Kunchev advised. It will be officially considered unsafe for drinking until two tests prove otherwise. The test results are expected to be known in a couple of days. The Chief State Health Inspector also warned against using beaches in the flood-hit area at least until next week, because the beaches are strewn with large amounts of waste materials and dead animals, which will take time to go away in a natural self-clearing process.
/YV/
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