The aftermath of Hurricane Francine could bring a potential risk of contracting Melioidosis, the Centers for Disease Control via the New York Post.

Residents living on the Gulf Coast in areas prone to flooding and heavy rain are reported to be at an increased risk of getting the bacterial infection, which is caused by bacteria called Burkholderia pseudomallei, or B. pseudomallei. The infection develops after an individual makes contact with contaminated soil, air or water and the risk increases after hurricanes, heavy rain and other severe weather events.

Melioidosis includes a wide range of symptoms that typically develop within 1-4 weeks of exposure to bacteria and can show up in various ways, which includes manifesting as an ulcer or sore on the skin or as a lung infection and symptoms for the infection include fever, muscle aches, localized swelling, a cough, chest pains, headaches and a lack of appetite, according to the CDC. Francine, which was downgraded to a tropical depression Thursday (September 12) morning, made landfall off the Louisiana coast as a Category 2 hurricane on Wednesday (September 11), the National Hurricane Center confirmed.

The storm was reported to have reached maximum sustained winds of around 100 MPH, with heavy rain moving across portions of Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Arkansas and the Florida panhandle.

Manny Munoz