Hurricane Laura: Carbon monoxide poisoning kills 4 in Lousiana, CDC warns against improper use of alternate power
The Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) has called attention to a life-threatening after-effect of Hurricane Laura – Carbon monoxide poisoning. According to reports, it is responsible for at least four deaths in Lousiana.
Laura stripped affected regions of electricity, causing people to turn to alternate power sources such as gasoline generators or propane or charcoal grills for cooking, the CDC said. The improper use of generators could release carbon monoxide (CO), leading to the accumulation of the gas inside buildings, garages or campers. It could "poison the people and animals inside," the health agency wrote on their website.
The Louisiana Department of Health is sadly verifying an additional four storm-related deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning. We do not have other details at this time.
— Louisiana Department of Health (@LADeptHealth) August 28, 2020
This brings the total number of deaths to 10.
Every year, more than 400 Americans die from unintentional exposure to carbon monoxide not linked to fires. More than 20,000 end up in the emergency room, and more than 4,000 are hospitalized, according to the CDC. Regular servicing of heating equipment and power sources could prevent poisoning.
The CDC urged clinicians to educate their patients on the matter. "Advise patients about safe practices related to generators, grills, camp stoves or other gasoline, propane, natural gas, or charcoal-burning devices, " they said. These devices should neither be used inside an enclosed space – home, basement, garage or camper – nor outside near an open window or window air conditioner.
What is Carbon monoxide poisoning?
Carbon monoxide escapes during the burning of gasoline, wood, propane, charcoal, or other fuel. The gas cannot be seen, heard, or smelled, allowing it to circulate undetected. Inhaling dangerously high levels of the gas in enclosed places could inflict severe damage to the tissues and, in some cases, cause death.
Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning could vary. But the common ones include a tension-type headache. Some people may have dizziness, flu-like symptoms without a fever, drowsiness, chest pain, and altered mental status. Those with severe poisoning tend to experience increased heartbeat, rapid breathing, low blood pressure, heart disease, irritability, impaired memory, seizures, coma, and the like.
Children, pregnant women, unborn babies, people with sickle cell disease are at a higher risk of poisoning. What is more, it can "be particularly dangerous for people who are sleeping or intoxicated. People may have irreversible brain damage or even die before anyone realizes there's a problem," Mayo Clinic said on their website.
Recommendations from the CDC
Seek medical help if you feel dizzy, light-headed, or nauseated as it could help lower complications and deaths. "Identifying and mitigating the CO [carbon monoxide] source is critical in preventing other poisoning cases," they said.
To diagnose the condition, doctors may order a blood test to look for the presence of the gas. They have also listed a set of recommendations for clinicians. "Be aware that CO exposure may be ongoing for others spending time in or near the same environment as the patient." These people should be tested for signs of poisoning."
The condition is treated by providing oxygen masks in the emergency room. "This helps oxygen reach your organs and tissues. If you can't breathe on your own, a machine (ventilator) may do the breathing for you," according to Mayo Clinic. For severe cases, doctors may recommend staying in a pressurized oxygen chamber for some time. It shields the heart and brain tissue, which are sensitive to damage.