23347: Esser: Circulation of 'disaster myths' in Haiti could hinder appropriate disposal of bodies (fwd)

[Bob Corbett <corbetre@webster.edu>]

From: D. Esser <torx@joimail.com>

Sept. 30, 2004

London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Circulation of 'disaster myths' in Haiti could hinder appropriate
disposal of bodies

Myths about the infectious disease threat posed by dead bodies could
lead to insensitive and inappropriate treatment of victims' bodies
following the floods in Haiti, and need to be checked, according to a
public health researcher who has studied the potential risks at
length.

Although most of the media coverage of the disaster has been
responsible and accurate, there have been some reports which wrongly
state that dead bodies can cause epidemics.

'Fear that dead bodies cause epidemics in the surviving population
has led to measures such as burial in mass graves without proper
identification of the victims', comments Oliver Morgan, a researcher
at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, whose paper
reviewing the scientific literature to assess the infectious disease
risks of dead bodies following natural disasters appeared in the Pan
American Journal of Public Health recently. 'However, in the current
situation in Haiti, the risk that dead bodies pose to the public is
extremely small', he adds.

Morgan found that most of the victims usually die from trauma rather
then 'epidemic-causing' infections. He says: 'In many natural
disasters, the risk of epidemics is used to justify measures such as
rapid mass burial. The result is that the victims are often not
identified, leaving family members searching for their loved ones'.

Unlike the general public, those who are involved in close contact
with the dead--such as military personnel, rescue workers,
volunteers, and others--may be exposed to chronic infectious hazards,
including hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV, enteric
pathogens, and tuberculosis. Morgan advises that suitable precautions
for these people should include training, use of body bags and
disposable gloves, good hygiene practice, and vaccination for
hepatitis B and tuberculosis.

###

Oliver Morgan is available for interview. If you would like to speak
to him please contact the London School of Hygiene & Tropical
Medicine Press Office on 44-207-927-2073.

Contact: Lindsay Wright
lindsay.wright@lshtm.ac.uk
44-207-927-2073