Chennai building collapse: Threat of disease for victims still trapped under debris

CHENNAI: As rescue workers toiled to find more survivors beneath the debris of the building that collapsed, some workers were spotted on Tuesday sprinkling bleaching powder and spraying disinfectants at the site.
It is not just the threat of asphyxiation or the probability of a cave-in that is looming large over those trapped in the wreckage, but the risk of infections as well.Mild rains and the stale air beneath the rubble could create an environment conducive for bacterial infections, especially for those with injuries, say doctors.
"Except for the stench, I don't see a threat of survivors contracting infections from dead bodies, unless the person had an infection," said infectious diseases specialist Dr Senthur Nambi. "There is a risk if trapped survivors have open wounds," he said.
Rescue workers wore masks and health department staff sprayed a mix of Lysol and Dettol to keep infections away. Officials were also taking precautions against the likelihood of a cholera outbreak.
Officials and rescue workers say most bacterial infections are treatable. "This is secondary. As long as they can breathe, they will survive. Everything else can be treated," said B Prabhudoss, coordinator for 108 ambulance service.
Director of Public Health Dr K Kulandaiswamy said they were also undertaking fogging operations to keep mosquitoes and flies at bay. "We are also ensuring the rescue workers get clean water to drink and keeping the area as sanitised as possible," he said.