The World Health organisation and the Red Cross have revealed that contrary to certain beliefs, the bodies of victims of natural disasters or armed conflict rarely pose a health threat to communities.
The health agencies said victims, who have died from trauma, drowning or fire do not normally harbour organisms that cause disease with common precautions.
They added that exceptions are deaths resulting from infectious diseases such as Ebola, Marburg or cholera, or if disaster strikes in an area where infectious diseases are endemic.
They also noted the risk of diarrhoea from drinking water contaminated by faecal material from dead bodies.
The agencies added that routine disinfection of drinking water is sufficient to prevent waterborne illness, even though bodies should not be left in contact with drinking water sources.
Their advice came after major flooding in Libya and an earthquake in Morocco, with death tolls in the thousands.
Authorities often try to bury the dead as swiftly as possible, which can heighten suffering for relatives and create legal and administrative problems for victims’ families.
The Regional Forensics Advisor for Africa at the International Committee of the Red Cross, Bilal Sablouh, described the notion that corpses can spread disease as a misunderstanding which pushes people to hastily bury the dead.
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