News from the Department of Medicine

Lahey Urges Caution During Flood Cleanup, WCAX Reports

July 18, 2023 by Lucy Gardner Carson

(JULY 18, 2023) In the wake of recent severe flooding across Vermont and as cleanup begins, infectious disease expert Timothy Lahey, M.D., M.M.Sc., professor of medicine, spoke to WCAX-TV about the dangers of mold and the risks posed by contaminated water.

Infectious disease specialist Timothy Lahey, M.D., M.M.Sc., professor of medicine

(JULY 18, 2023) In the wake of recent severe flooding across Vermont and as cleanup begins, infectious disease expert Timothy Lahey, M.D., M.M.Sc., professor of medicine, spoke to WCAX-TV about the dangers of mold and the risks posed by contaminated water and urged those less experienced to use caution when cleaning and assume that all wet walls contain mold.

“Each of us can do our part by looking for mold and trying to get things to dry out with fans if we have access,” he said. “But at a certain point, if it’s particularly bad, then it can be helpful to make sure that you get professional help, just so that damage to your home is less, that you’re safe as possible … The best thing is to try to get it as dry as you can. But if it turns out you have a problem with mold, if there is somebody in the household who is vulnerable in that way, it might be good to try to get them to sleep in a different room or otherwise avoid that risk.

Click on link for full story on WCAX-TV:
Flood contractors descend on central Vermont
UVM expert discusses dangers of mold, flood contaminants