WOODFORD COUNTY, Ky. — Local health departments are cautioning people in and around floodwaters of potential risks ranging from snakes to potentially deadly bacteria.

Woodford County Health Department’s Public Health Director, Cassie Prather, said pathogens thrive in wet conditions.

“A lot of people pass viruses through their stool and so that’s really like the perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria,” Prather said.

One bacterial disease in particular, tetanus, survives in soil and animal feces, entering the body through wounds.

“There are so many sharp objects that you can’t see that could hit you or you could graze past them in the floodwaters,” Prather said.

Prather said some symptoms of tetanus include fever, immovable muscles and lockjaw.

“That’s the one you kind of hear more so than the other ones; you get like a stiff jaw, difficulty swallowing, drooling,” Prather said.

The health department said if you’ve been exposed to floodwaters and haven’t had a tetanus shot in ten years to do so or get a booster.

“We have ordered tetanus shots for people in our community that have come into contact with floodwater, especially our first responders,” Prather said.

As waters recede, cleanup can begin. However, there are other risks post-flooding.

“All of those homes that have been under or have water in them, they’re going to likely develop mold and that too is an environmental health concern that can cause respiratory issues,” Prather said.

Prather said people cleaning their homes after flooding should use chlorine-based cleaner to kill mold spores.

The health department also recommends wearing rubber boots, rubber gloves and goggles when entering floodwaters.