Brumadinho could have an epidemic of infectious diseases, says Fiocruz | Minas Gerais

The researcher Carlos Machado de Freitas, one of the leaders of the investigation, pointed out the risk of increased diseases transmitted by vector mosquitoes, such as dengue fever and dengue fever. yellow fever.

"In the Barra Longa (MG) case [cidade vizinha ao local do rompimento da barragem da Samarco, em 2015] after Mariana, there had been an exponential increase of more than 3,000% in dengue cases." The Brumadinho region was a zone of transmission of yellow fever, "he said.

There is also a risk of respiratory and skin problems, especially from the moment the mud begins to dry – because turns into dust and the people come into contact with it.

These effects may begin to be felt in the coming weeks, but some will only occur in the long term, such as lead contamination, cadmium and mercury, which have already been identified in the mud.The consequences of the disturbance could also "extend over hundreds of kilometers from the place of origin," according to the authors.

The population could also be affected by problems related to the contamination of the water of the Paraopeba River, said Freitas.

"We still do not know the levels of contamination or the complete composition of the water. oue – but this contamination will certainly jeopardize the supply. By compromising the supply, it will also have an impact on water storage and on diseases such as dengue fever "

Other diseases transmitted by contact with water contaminated, such as schistosomiasis and leptospirosis, may also lead to an increase in the number of contaminated water, according to the study published Tuesday (5). experience of the Samarco disaster in Mariana and other disasters we have investigated, we know that there will probably be a worsening of chronic diseases – such as hypertension and diabetes – even because of the impact on mental health. You have a disorganization of the means and conditions of life in general, "said Carlos Machado de Freitas.

• Research identifies mental illness among those affected by the Samano Mariana Dam

In the research, scientists also point to the isolation and "loss of conditions of access to health services" as a factor in worsening existing diseases in the affected population.Freitas stressed the need for structuring health services to serve the population, especially in the long term,

"After this first month, my human, technical and financial resources will certainly decrease in Brumadinho, and more particularly for the next two years. Our effort here today is to anticipate that these diseases will no longer reproduce and be treated as if they were natural, "he said.

BREAKING OUT OF BRUMADINHO'S MOISTURE