The Environmental and Psychological Impact of Decomposing Bodies in Derna: Expert Analysis

2023-09-16 20:33:37

A specialist doctor explains to Akhbar Al-Aan the repercussions of the spread of corpses and their decomposition in Derna

An official at the Ministry of Health in the government appointed by the Libyan Parliament warned… Environmental disaster In the east of the country due to the decomposition of bodies under the rubble and the resulting great dangers to the environment after the flood waters receded.

The director of Al-Bayda Medical Center, Abdul Rahim Maziq, said in a video statement, “The region is on the verge of an environmental disaster as a result of the spread of diseases and epidemics due to… Decomposition of bodies In the waters and areas that rescue teams could not reach.”

Akhbar Al-Aan contacted the physician who specializes in laboratory medicine and immunology, Dr. Riyad Darqawi, who confirmed that “contrary to prevailing beliefs about the decomposition of corpses resulting from bodies or death or due to the collapse of houses and not due to diseases or an epidemic that has swept a city, there is no real danger to people or Residents who managed to survive.”

The doctor pointed out that these victims died as a result of a non-bacterial death, but attention must be paid to the issue of water pollution in the place, especially drinking water. If this water is polluted due to the decomposition of bodies, it is dangerous, and it is known that in humans, in the intestines and on the skin, there are germs that coexist in the body. They will spread and invade the corpse, and if they reach the water, they will cause the spread of diseases. These germs should not reach another person.

Dr. Riyad Darqawi pointed out the psychological damage that those affected by this disaster and the scattered corpses may be exposed to, and said, “These scenes may cause long-term and severe psychological pain, so attention must be paid to this issue, and many people specialized in social and psychological behavior must be appointed to treat those who have been exposed to this.” The viewer, to find a refuge to rid them of these psychological traumas.”

The doctor stressed that “as long as the corpse did not die due to certain diseases, it is not dangerous, but the danger is that the corpse is exposed to diseases such as cholera and others, or Ebola, so there must be care in dealing with the corpses.”

In light of the difficulty of access, communications, relief operations, and the chaos prevailing in Libya even before the disaster, there are conflicting figures on the number of victims. Ministers in the eastern government gave inconsistent numbers. But in their latest toll, the spokesman for the Ministry of Interior in the eastern government reported on Wednesday that more than 3,800 people died in the floods. As for the missing, they number in the thousands, according to several sources, including the International Red Cross.

The International Organization for Migration reported the displacement of more than 38,000 people in eastern Libya, including 30,000 from Derna, while the United Nations said that “at least ten thousand people” are still missing.

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