Chapter 2 Post-disaster epidemic analysis and prevention-2

Deaths from infectious diseases after disasters are less common than deaths directly from natural disasters. There is no evidence that dead bodies cause post-disaster outbreaks of infectious disease.In some exceptional cases, such as cholera or hemorrhagic fever, dead bodies pose the risk of infectious disease outbreaks. Infectious diseases are likely to prevail when the basic survival supplies of temporarily displaced populations are insufficient. The continuous provision of safe drinking water is the most important disease prevention measure after a major disaster. Early detection of epidemic-prone cases is the key to ensuring rapid control of the outbreak - surveillance/early warning systems should be established early.

The focus should be on trauma care and casualty management, but the health care needs of post-disaster survivors should also be considered. Every effort should be made to identify the dead body and mass burials should be avoided as much as possible.Families should have the opportunity (and the conditions) to have an appropriate funeral according to their own customs.