Daily Meh is an edited stream of consciousness, by Simen.

Once again: dead bodies don't cause disease epidemics

Contrary to popular belief, dead bodies left from natural disasters such as the China earthquake and Myanmar cyclone are not a source of disease or a health threat to survivors, the World Health Organization said Friday.

The major disease threat after natural disasters is almost always the same: contaminated water, food, famine and poor sanitation. The highest risk period is weeks to a month after the disaster and isn’t related to the dead bodies.

So, mass graves are not necessary for publich health reasons, and cause nothing but suffering for the survivors of natural disasters.