M A I N   N E W S

Threat of epidemic looms large
From R. Suryamurthy
Tribune News Service

BHUJ, Feb 2 — With makeshift hospitals in the quake-affected areas reporting a steady increase in the number of gastroenteritis and diarrhoea cases, the fear of epidemic spreading in the region looms large. Doctors in Bhuj, Bachau, Rapar and other affected areas, where The Tribune team visited, stated that the number of gastroenteritis and diarrhoea cases were increasing day by day.

Immediate steps should be taken to prevent the spread of these cases and measures should be taken to prevent the outbreak of other diseases like cholera, malaria, typhoid, hepatitis and tetanus, said Dr Rakesh, treating patients in Bhuj.

However, the state government seems to have turned a blind eye to this reality. District Collector Kamal Dayans said no such case had been reported so far. Enough measures were being taken to prevent the outbreak of epidemic. Chemicals were being sprayed in the area, water was being chlorinated and fumigation was also being done as a precautionary measure, he said.

A visit to the worst-affected areas of the quake indicate that large number of bodies, which have now started decomposing, still remain to be extricated and a group of social workers, who have hardly any training in spraying of chemicals, were seen spraying them with their bare hands. They were not only exposing themselves to the harmful effects of these chemicals, but also doing it in an unscientific manner.

The uncoordinated manner in which the rescue operation is being carried out is clear from the fact that three bodies were lying bang opposite the camp of foreign rescue teams in Bhuj.

After an unsuccessful attempt to extricate it, a decomposed body continues to hang outside the rubble of a collapsed three-storied building, indicating the manner in which bodies are being extricated.

The doctors said maggots and soil bacteria were feasting on the bodies, which lay under the rubble, and the bodies in this hot region are getting decomposed quickly.

The unbearably stench in the air indicates the number of bodies that need to be extricated. Moreover, not all bodies that are being extricated are being properly disposed of. Half-burnt bodies can be seen strewn around the town and dogs and vultures praying on them is not an uncommon site. In addition, the relief camps, where quake survivors and those who come looking for their loved ones are staying, lack proper sanitation.

With almost all the houses in the town unsafe for habitation, the entire population is defecating in the open. The doctors fear that there could be large-scale spread of feco-oral infestation like cholera, typhoid and dysentery.

Another area of concern is the surgeries which are being performed in the makeshift medical centres. With a large number of surgeries being performed in these camps, social workers expressed concern that patients might suffer from tetanus.

Having to spend nights in the open, increases the risk of contracting pneumonia and other respiratory ailments, Dr Akarte said.

With the destruction of large number of villages, even the animal population has no shelter among the human camps. Doctors express concern over the intermingling of the human and animal population.

During such upheavals, even the animals forge into human habitation, carrying with them diseases, a doctor said, adding that after the Latur quake, there was a small outbreak of plague.

Simple measures of sewage and garbage disposal, daily sponging for all survivors and other precautionary measures, the doctors said would check prevent the outbreak of epidemic.

PTI adds from Delhi: The government on Friday ruled out the possibility of an outbreak of epidemic in Gujarat but said there were chances of people suffering from gastroenteritis.

“There is no possibility of an epidemic breaking out since corpses do not spread deadly diseases. However, the authorities are taking no chances,” Health Minister C. T. Thakur told reporters here.

Quoting a 1999 world health organisation report on public health consequences of earthquakes, he said: “outbreak of communicable diseases do not usually occur after earthquakes (and after any natural disasters) although the risk of an increasing incidence of sporadic cases (below epidemic threshold) exists.”

According to a UNI report , BJP General Secretary Narendra Modi , who has been camping in Gujarat, has suggested that tent shelters should be provided to all victims.