To understand why diseases flourish in a blackout you first have to understand the affects a long-term blackout have on infrastructure. We are most accustomed to short term blackouts and we don’t see the lasting effects very often.

In a long-term scenario, you will have things like water treatment failure, diesel, and other fuel will run out, medical backup generators will fail, having lasting effects on public health. You will also have serious malnutrition because food shipments and commerce will be affected in the region.

Each one of these things will affect the reemergence of diseases that we currently have protections in place for. We have seen many real-life examples of this in our modern world.

LA COUNTY AND TYPHUS

Because of the overwhelming failure in managing the homeless population, LA County has seen a reemergence of Typhus in the streets. The public health system does not have an answer for the homeless population so it would seem that this issue will continue.

VENEZUELA AND ACCESS TO MEDICINE

The Venezuelan health care system is in total disarray thanks to the economic collapse. Along with the massive rolling blackouts in the nation people are suffering from a majority of common healthcare issues but do not have access to basic medicines.

SYRIA AND MEASLES

Vulnerable populations in Syrian refugee camps are facing serious measles outbreaks. The measles is a serious disease that is also popping back up in the United States. While we think we have eradicated these diseases, in the right conditions they come raging back.

5 Diseases That Will Flourish in a Long-Term Blackout

STDS

One of the first things that will happen is people will get bored because their phones and devices will run out of battery. So few have prepared with backup power to recharge these devices that run our lives.

In their boredom, they will turn to passing time the old ways. There is a reason birth rates skyrocket 9 months after major hurricanes. It’s just what we do. So, with a lack of protection available, the spread of STD’s will be prolific.

Dysentery

Swelling of the large intestine with serious abdominal cramps and diarrhea, dysentery is a third world disease that is brought on by drinking contaminated water. If we see a massive blackout, we are going to face this issue because water treatment will be compromised.

Most people are not storing 6 months’ worth of water or water filters or catching water in barrels. Because of this, they will have to either stand in water lines to receive water from aid stations or they will risk drinking the water from the tap.

Typhus

This disease is brought on by fleas. When you have populations of people that are not practicing personal hygiene, they bring on these pests. These pests pass on the disease by biting people. Typhus is a serious disease that can be deadly in some cases.

Personal hygiene is something that has to be carried out even when the water system is compromised, and you have run out of things like soap. Do you know how to make soap? It’s a pretty simple process that can make a world of difference when dealing with diseases like Typhus.

Measles

At this moment we have robust medical establishments that vaccinate children at birth and in their young age for things like measles. After a long-term blackout, these things will no longer happen. It won’t be long before large groups of people are suffering from measles.

The measles can be deadly and the best way to deal with them, thus far, comes from vaccination at a young age.  Some communities try to build immunity by having exposure parties to get kids together, but this can be very dangerous.

Cholera

There are fewer than 1000 cases of cholera in the nation today. That is a serious victory. However, with water and food sources being contaminated after a blackout we will see those numbers rise. This disease is very common in countries where there is no access to clean water.

Storing food and collecting water is going to give you an edge over those who have not taken those precautions.

What Precautions Can You Take?

It’s well known that our own power grid is indefensible and that it could be compromised by either terrorist’s attack or hacker. Even a targeted EMP strike could take out large swaths of power to our nation.

Do you know where to start to handle something like this?

Have you any idea how to address needs like water and food through advanced preparations?

There are lots of resources out there, but The Doomsday Book Of Medicine is a standout resource that can be placed on a shelf in your home. It is not data that can be compromised in the blackout.

If you’re wondering what will you do when there are no doctors or medicine, this 800+ page encyclopedia has it all.

Conclusion

Living in a first-world nation it’s easy to take much of the daily processes for granted. It’s easy to take supply chain and tap water for granted. It’s hard for us to understand the types of things that are happening in places like Venezuela and Syria.

At this moment we have greater access to knowledge and resources than ever before. We are literally capable of buying things and having them at our door in a matter of hours. That means there are no excuses for not preparing for an eventual disaster.

Spend some time thinking about how you could best address the things like personal hygiene, water, and food in a serious disaster. Get ahead of the game today while it’s cheap and easy. Don’t wait till something goes wrong and you and your family are forced to scramble.

Click here to read more about The Doomsday Book Of Medicine.