Epidemics threaten communities in quake-hit areas

"We worry about the outbreak of flu and other infectious diseases of the respiratory system, as well as skin diseases," Lin said.

He said authorities have been taking measures to avoid such outbreaks. Senior citizens over the age of 65 will be provided with flu vaccines beginning next week.

"Tuberculosis, which can spread easily in crowded spaces such as where many victims currently live, is also of concern," he added.

Chen said that outbreaks of dysentery -- most often caused by the shigella bacillus and spread by fecal contamination of food and water -- are possible in these communities, if temporary housing, such as those made from cargo containers, are not fitted with proper sanitary facilities.

Both Chen and Lin also pointed out that many quake victims currently suffer from poor resistance to diseases caused by chronic stress, due to circumstances, such as unemployment.

A survey of quake victims carried out by the National Alliance for Post-earthquake Reconstruction (全國民間災後重建聯盟) last month, revealed that 55.2 percent of quake victims claimed to have been depressed ever since the earthquake and 30.7 percent gave the reason for their depression as unemployment or the effect of the earthquake on their earnings.