[Attitude toward the risk of epidemics during sudden disasters (author's transl)]

Following sudden disasters, major outbreaks are rare unless malnutrition and starvation are common. No dramatic increase of water borne diseases has been reported and adequately documented in the aftermath of the earthquakes, cyclones or floods of this decade. However, the attitude of the public, the mass media and of the health services is sometimes irrational leading to impressive but ineffective mass immunizations. An epidemiologic system and accurate information on the actual situation are essential in case of major disasters.