Bad Water, Not Corpses, Main Tsunami Disease Threat

Contrary to popular belief, the thousands of rotting corpses do not pose the main threat. Sewage-contaminated water is the main risk factor in the spread of deadly diseases like cholera, malaria and dengue fever. Diseases are spread by contaminated water, drinking water and water used to clean food. The first symptom of contaminated water consumption is diarrhoea and doctors in Sri Lanka and elsewhere are already reporting cases of diarrhoea and vomiting.

While rotting corpses pose little threat to survivors, relief workers handling them face a risk of contracting tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV, as well as gastro-intestinal infections such as diarrhoea, salmonellosis, typhoid fevers and cholera.

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Originally from Reuters