Decomposing bodies are not a public health threat in indian earthquake
01 february 2001

"We are concerned that unncessary alarm is being created among the disaster-affected population by reports that decomposing bodies contribute to the spread of disease. This is not true," said Dr. Hakan Sandbladh, emergency health co-ordinator of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

"Normal healthy people killed in an earthquake who do not have communicable diseases do not pose any threat to public health. We have not seen any disease outbreaks as a result of this factor in recent earthquakes such as El Salvador or Turkey.

"It's a serious misconception even among aid personnel. It's true that it can be very disturbing especially for survivors, and psychologically difficult, but in and of itself, this is not a public health threat," said Dr. Sandbladh.

He also advised donors not to repeat the mistakes of previous earthquake disasters by sending quantities of unecessary medical supplies and equipment. The International Federation has already turned down offers of cargo planes loaded with intravenous fluids as India is a major producer of this item and there are no local shortages. Dialysis machines are also not required.

"Poor quality water is of much greater concern and we are now augmenting the local supply with significant quantities of good quality drinking water. We are working closely with the Indian Red Cross and the local authorities to see if we can do more to help improve the local water supply," said Dr. Sandbladh.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Delhi: Patro Bijoy, information assistant, Tel: +91 11 685 8671/2

Geneva:
Christopher Black, Information Officer, Tel.: +41 22 730 4377
Denis McClean, Head of Media Service, Tel: +41 22 730 4428  Tel: +41 79 2173357

The Geneva-based International Federation promotes the humanitarian activities of 181 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies among vulnerable people. By coordinating international disaster relief and encouraging development support, it seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering. The Federation, National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross together, constitute the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.