Dumping carcasses in the open can affect health: Doctors

Carcasses openly dumped in areas such as Sikandarpur Ghosi can be dangerous for the health of people living nearby, doctors say.

Carcasses openly dumped in areas such as Sikandarpur Ghosi can be dangerous for the health of people living nearby, doctors say.

Carcasses dumped near DLF Phase 1.

Doctors say dead animals are a haven for microorganisms and insects that can cause vector-borne diseases. Also, the stench of decaying flesh releases fumes that can cause respiratory disorders.

“The foul smell from the decaying flesh has harmful fumes that can trigger breathing problems in asthmatic patients and cause other respiratory diseases. Plus, the flesh is a paradise for insects, especially houseflies, which will multiply in number. These insects are potential carriers of several vector-borne diseases,” Dr Raman Abhi, additional director, internal medicines, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, said.

On August 13, HT had reported that carcasses dumped in Sikanderpur Ghosi had become a major concern for residents.

Doctors also said the recent rainfall will make the situation worse. Microorganisms, especially bacteria, will flourish in moist conditions and cause gastroenteritis and food poisoning. In extreme cases, if people drink the contaminated water, it can lead to typhoid or jaundice.

Gurgaon chief medical officer (CMO) Dr Ramesh Dhankar said carcasses should be buried in a pit and not dumped on roadsides.

“If there are no proper incinerators in the city, then bodies should be buried properly and not dumped on the road. This can lead to a number of disorders from respiratory to digestion,” Dhankar said.

Ravinder Yadav of DLF Phase 1 said as the dumping started only about a month back, no one has contracted any diseases. “But we are scared to even use the stretch often,” he said.

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