Damp homes present major health challenge a month after floods

A key health concern in flood-affected areas ahead of the colder months is insufficiently dried homes, according to Barbora Macková, Chief Hygienist and Director of the National Institute of Public Health (SZÚ). Damp conditions can lead to mold growth, which poses health risks when inhaled. In flood-hit regions, walls need to be disinfected and dried, with damaged plaster potentially requiring removal. Although no outbreaks of infectious diseases have been recorded, preventive measures, such as vaccinations against hepatitis, have been implemented. Hygiene standards are also crucial as schools and senior homes reopen.