Health Officials Warn Of Possible Epidemic After Balkans Floods

Floodwaters in the village of Prud, Bosnia

Local health officials are warning that tons of drowned farm animals are posing a major health hazard in the flood-hit Balkans.

More than 40 people have died in Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia after last week's record rains triggered the worst floods to hit the region in over a century.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated.

Bosnia declared a day of mourning on May 20 while Serbia will hold three days of mourning starting May 21.

The floods are still threatening Serbia's biggest power plant in the town of Obrenovac, while officials in Bosnia said potentially shifting land mines left over from the country's 1992-1995 war were posing new threats.

Both Serbia and Bosnia have asked for international help, with damage from the floods estimated in the billions of dollars.

Parts Of Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina Under Water

(IN PICTURES: Balkan Floods)

Based on reporting by AFP and AP