Hunter health professionals have urged Maitland residents to avoid floodwater due to contamination from raw sewagee and animal carcasses.
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The calm and receding floodwaters may seem like a disruptive nuisance but Hunter New England Health's professor David Durrheim said even the smallest puddles could carry harmful pathogens.
"Tetanus spores occur frequently in floodwaters, as does eColi and salmonella," Dr Durrheim said.
"Any cuts or abrasions become portals for horrible infections."
Hunter Water spokesman Jeremy Bath told the ABC the source of contaminants was a combination of livestock and wild animal carcasses as well as overflowing sewerage pump stations.
"We had numerous stations without power and they overflowed," he said.
Even items or clothing that come in contact with floodwater should be considered contaminated.
Dr Durrheim said vigorous hand washing with sanitiser was the best defense against infection until the ultraviolet and evaporative powers of the sun safely disposed of the water.
