Experts Available to Discuss Ongoing Impacts of Tsunami in Southeast Asia Including Disease, Economic Issues, Grieving

Note to Editors: The following experts are available to discuss disease, economic consequences, tourism, grieving and other ongoing impacts of the recent tsunami on various aspects of survival and recovery. These experts are available for media interviews; this list is not intended to serve as public contact information.

Threat of dengue fever and other mosquito-borne diseases:

Chet Moore, a senior research scientist in Colorado State University’s Environmental Health Advanced Systems Laboratory in the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences, has researched dengue and other vector-borne diseases for more than 40 years. Because the tsunami destroyed water piping systems, people will store more water that will lead to more mosquitoes which are vectors for dengue. Malaria is associated with larger bodies of water, for example, those created by heavy rainfall (natural) or by impoundments (dams, rice culture, etc.). Filariasis, another important disease in the region, is often associated with mosquitoes that breed in sewage-thus, the destruction of sewerage facilities will lead to an increase in these vectors. Also, with many homes destroyed especially along the coastal areas, more people will be in contact with mosquitoes. To speak with Moore, contact Brad Bohlander at (970) 491-1545 or brad.bohlander@colostate.edu.

Impact on tourism:

Stuart Cottrell, coordinator of the global tourism concentration at Colorado State University’s Department of Natural Resource Recreation and Tourism, has researched and taught sustainable tourism development in the United States and Europe for more than 10 years, and has experienced firsthand the aftermath of natural disasters at tourist destinations. Disasters such as the tsunami can be devastating to communities relying on tourism for their livelihoods. Cottrell believes nature and human resourcefulness have ways to reclaim and rebuild the physical environment and institutional structures; however, it is the socio and cultural resources and human capital that are difficult to replace. He believes tourism will return to the shores of Thailand and Indonesia in the short term (one to two years) and perhaps draw a new type of dark tourism that focuses on the pain and suffering resulting from such disasters. Also, eco and volunteer tourism may result from the international efforts to help those areas. To speak with Cottrell, contact Jennifer Dimas at (970) 491-1543 or jennifer.dimas@colostate.edu.

Potential economic and industry impacts:

Steve Davies, Colorado State University economist in the College of Agricultural Sciences, can talk about the impact of the tsunami on the economies in affected regions. Specifically, Davies can discuss the impact on businesses and industries such as rattan furniture and textiles, shrimp hatcheries and farms, and rice and cotton production. Davies has spent several years working with USAID in Indonesia to support agricultural economic education and industry development. Davies also has researched issues in India’s agricultural industry and can discuss the impact of this natural disaster on the area’s food production as well as the impact on food exports to other countries. To speak with Davies, contact Dell Rae Moellenberg at (970) 491-6009 or dellrae.moellenberg@colostate.edu.

Disease symptoms and potential fatality rates:

Lorann Stallones, epidemiologist with public health training and a professor in Colorado State University’s Department of Psychology, can describe symptoms, case fatality rates, causes and reporting requirements for diseases expected to impact Southeast Asia as a result of the recent tsunami tragedy. Stallones can also discuss suggested control measures that can be used to reduce the spread of diseases. To speak with Stallones, contact Brad Bohlander at (970) 491-1545 or brad.bohlander@colostate.edu.

Impact on global trade:

Rob Allerheiligen, an assistant professor of marketing at Colorado State University and an expert on international business, can talk about the types of industries damaged by the Tsunami and the impact on global trade. To speak with Allerheiligen, contact Jennifer Dimas at (970) 491-1543 or jennifer.dimas@colostate.edu.

Grief, loss and post-traumatic stress disorder:

Evelinn Borrayo, assistant professor of psychology at Colorado State University, is trained as a clinical psychologist and has experience in the areas of coping with grief and loss as well as recognizing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder. She can discuss any of these issues in relation to the tsunami tragedy in Southeast Asia. To speak with Borrayo, contact Brad Bohlander at (970) 491-1545 or brad.bohlander@colostate.edu.

Vulnerability studies, emergency response and environmental equity:

Melinda Laituri, associate professor in Colorado State University’s Department of Forest, Rangeland and Watershed Stewardship, researches vulnerability studies, emergency response and environmental equity issues. Laituri also is an expert on geographic information systems, specifically mapping areas of vulnerability and how technology can aid – and hinder – efforts to deal with disaster issues. To speak with Laituri, contact Jennifer Dimas at (970) 491-1543 or jennifer.dimas@colostate.edu.

Water treatment and contamination control:

Ken Carlson, associate professor of civil engineering at Colorado State University, is an expert on several water-related issues. Carlson can discuss water treatment, agricultural contamination control and watershed processes in relation to the tsunami disaster in Southeast Asia. To speak with Carlson, contact Brad Bohlander at (970) 491-1545 or brad.bohlander@colostate.edu.

Irrigation and river ecosystems:

Ramchand Oad, professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, can discuss water resources for irrigated agriculture and river ecosystems in regions impacted by the tsunami. To speak with Oad, contact Brad Bohlander at (970) 491-1545 or brad.bohlander@colostate.edu.

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