State and local public health officials are offering reassurances about potential infectious disease risks to residents of flood-stricken areas. Minnesota Public Radio's Karen-Louise Boothe reports: Many residents of flood stricken regions are worried they're being exposed to infectious disease in the flood...but state health department spokesman, Buddy Ferguson says their fears are unfounded. BITE: He says in this bite, often people think that in the case of fires and floods,then surely pestilence must follow...however...that is NOT the case! Ferguson says skin contact with flood water will not lead to to giardia or hepatitus A...two health hazards linked to contaminated water.