Worries growing in Greece for health implications of floods in central Thessaly region

By Ahmet Gencturk

ATHENS (AA) - Worries are growing in Greece about the health implications of floods that battered the central region of Thessaly last week, local media reported Wednesday.

Tens of thousands of dead animals have residents of the region facing an immense public health problem, according to public broadcaster ERT, adding that the removal of the corpses remains a priority.

In Karditsa, there are more than 5,000 dead animals that should be removed and burned as soon as possible because of the profound threat to public health, it noted.

It said disinfection units were deployed throughout Thessaly, including cities that were affected by the flood, including Trikala, Larissa and Volos, in the face of the proliferation of bacteria and mosquitos from stagnant water.

A lack of clean and running water as well as stench caused by dead animals and stagnant water remain among other major problems in the region, according to the ERT.​​​​​​​