The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Saturday that first signs of potentially deadly diseases are threatening survivors in tsunami-hit areas in Asia.

There are increasing reports of diarrhea disease outbreaks in displaced persons' settlements in Sri Lanka and India, said David Nabarro, a top official of the Geneva-based WHO.

Speaking to reporters, Nabarro called for continued preventive measures and treatments. "What we need to do is to make sure that we continue to distribute all rehydration salts and treatment for diarrhea and we continue to do our work in sanitation and water supplies," he said.

Noting the international operation is "incredibly strong" and relief distribution has started and gone on pretty well in Sri Lanka, Nabarro cautioned that it needs a few more days before the WHO can say there is no danger of major outbreaks of disease.

By Saturday the death toll from the deadly quake and tsunami was reportedly edging toward 126,000 but the United Nations has warned that it could rise to 150,000.

WHO says it has circulated an emergency health action program for the region, identifying the immediate needs for the next three months. The program says it needs about 40 million US dollars.

The organization also urged countries in the region to prepare for possible outbreaks of malaria and dengue fever which are endemic in South East Asia.

(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2005)