Health Organization: Dead Bodies Can't Spread Illness
Health Adviser Urges Against Mass Burials
POSTED: 7:06 am PST December 30, 2004
The Pan American Health Organization says dead bodies can't cause disease, so there's no reason for quick mass burials of tens of thousands of unidentified victims in Asia.
Dr. Dana Van Alphen, an adviser to the organization, said bacteria and viruses can't survive in dead bodies, so there's no danger of corpses contaminating water or soil.But she warned rescue officials to wear gloves when handling bodies to avoid contact with blood.Van Alphen said it's more important psychologically for survivors to identify loved ones. She's urging authorities to avoid burying unidentified corpses in mass graves. Such quick burials are complicating efforts to identify victims and keep accurate death counts."In too many cases, authorities rush to bury victims without identifying them, under the false belief that bodies pose a serious threat of epidemics," she said. "It is just not true."She suggested conducting burials in such a way that would permit later exhumation. Above all, she said, avoid mass burials and cremations.Meanwhile, world health officials are concerned about the threat of disease in the wake of the tsunamis. Countries hit by the massive waves are struggling with widespread destruction of roads, fresh water supplies and other infrastructure.Indian paramedics have started vaccinating people against cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and dysentery. In Sri Lanka, an official said "clean water and sanitation" are the top worries for emergency workers hoping to avert disease outbreaks. Like other affected countries, Sri Lanka has crowded refugee centers: potential hot zones for spreading infections. Previous Stories:
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Full Story: Latest On Tsunami Aftermath
Interactives: Tsunami Map | EarthquakesInfo: Fact Sheet, Relief AgenciesDr. Dana Van Alphen, an adviser to the organization, said bacteria and viruses can't survive in dead bodies, so there's no danger of corpses contaminating water or soil.But she warned rescue officials to wear gloves when handling bodies to avoid contact with blood.Van Alphen said it's more important psychologically for survivors to identify loved ones. She's urging authorities to avoid burying unidentified corpses in mass graves. Such quick burials are complicating efforts to identify victims and keep accurate death counts."In too many cases, authorities rush to bury victims without identifying them, under the false belief that bodies pose a serious threat of epidemics," she said. "It is just not true."She suggested conducting burials in such a way that would permit later exhumation. Above all, she said, avoid mass burials and cremations.Meanwhile, world health officials are concerned about the threat of disease in the wake of the tsunamis. Countries hit by the massive waves are struggling with widespread destruction of roads, fresh water supplies and other infrastructure.Indian paramedics have started vaccinating people against cholera, typhoid, hepatitis A and dysentery. In Sri Lanka, an official said "clean water and sanitation" are the top worries for emergency workers hoping to avert disease outbreaks. Like other affected countries, Sri Lanka has crowded refugee centers: potential hot zones for spreading infections. Previous Stories:
- December 29, 2004: Threat Of Disease After Tsunamis Concern Health Officials
- December 28, 2004: Threat Of Health Epidemic Looms After Quake, Tsunamis
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