Cleaning up from flood waters carries special risks. That's why health officials say people should stay away from flood-affected areas, unless they have a current tetanus vaccine. Trouble is, most health agencies don't have any on hand.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment helped the situation today, securing 1,960 doses of vaccine from a distributor in Virginia. Of those, 960 were delivered to the Wilson County Health Department, which is working with the KDHE to distribute vaccines to surrounding identified counties. The remaining vaccines are being stored in Topeka until future distributions have been determined.

Health officials say flood waters may contain sewage, hazardous materials, and other contaminants. Individuals should contact their nearest health department for a tetanus vaccine if they have had a recent, significant injury or if they have entered the water and have not had a tetanus vaccination in the past 10 years.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is providing an aircraft to transport tetanus vaccines from Hutchinson to Chanute and Ottawa. Ground units are relaying additional tetanus vaccines from Junction City/Geary County to the Iola/Allen County Health Departments, and from Minneapolis, Kansas, in Ottawa County to Howard, Kansas, in Elk County.