Authorities urge volunteers in Hualien County’s Guangfu Township to follow strict protective measures during disaster recovery. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) emphasized precautions against infectious diseases and the proper handling of contaminated materials.
The advisory follows heavy rainfall caused by Super Typhoon Ragasa, which led to a barrier lake bursting in the Mataian River on Tuesday. Floodwaters swept through Guangfu, leaving extensive mud and debris. The disaster recovery safety guidance aims to protect volunteers and residents from infection and injury.
CDC Director-General Philip Lo thanked volunteers for their efforts and instructed them to first report to the designated task assignment station near the Guangfu train station. He stressed that following local coordination mechanisms ensures cleanup proceeds safely and efficiently.
Volunteers should wear facial masks, waterproof gloves, and tall waterproof boots to prevent exposure to bacteria present in floodwaters. Lo noted that even minor contact with contaminated water can lead to infection, especially through open wounds.
The CDC also highlighted food safety measures. Water storage tanks contaminated by floodwater must be cleaned and disinfected. People should thoroughly cook all food and discard any items exposed to floodwater.
Medical stations in the area are providing free bleach for environmental disinfection. Volunteers should apply diluted bleach to indoor and outdoor surfaces and sanitize utensils in boiling water or bleach solutions before washing them with clean water. Hand hygiene remains critical, with frequent washing or use of 75 percent alcohol-based sanitizer recommended when water is unavailable.
The CDC has 7,000 disinfectant bottles for Hualien and Taitung, plus 163,000 bleach and phenol bottles stored nationwide. Officials continue to monitor shelters for signs of infection, noting no outbreaks so far.
Hospitals have been instructed to screen individuals for direct contact with floodwater or mud and to report suspected infectious disease cases promptly. The CDC and local health departments will continue to coordinate volunteer efforts and provide materials to support ongoing disaster recovery safety.
These measures reflect the importance of disaster recovery safety in preventing public health risks during post-typhoon cleanup. Authorities emphasized that strict adherence protects both volunteers and local communities.
