Thousands of deaths and injuries, devastation and hunger are some of the vestiges left by the sudden impact natural disasters such as earthquakes. However, after the disaster, health authorities are facing a great challenge: to control the scourge of diseases arising from an earthquake ..
Health priorities during the first days after a disaster of this type include the treatment of traumatic injuries caused by collapsing buildings or survivors trapped under rubble, and the prevention of infections such wounds.
The most common injuries that occur after an earthquake are: cuts, bruises and simple fractures and potentially fatal infections. Also there is usually a significant number of multiple fractures or internal injuries because of the so-called crush syndrome, requiring surgery, transfusion and other intensive treatments.
The risk for certain illnesses after an earthquake is very serious for humanitarian workers and for victims. Developing countries are most affected because the population is more vulnerable and sometimes hygiene and public health infrastructure in these places, is already a challenge.
The risk of disease after an earthquake
Added to that, hospitals and health centers are destroyed or not able to offer assistance. Moreover, lack of resources and medical personnel to treat thousands of sick and injured, make medical needs become enormous and unimaginable conditions.
Some diseases that represent an immediate threat from an earthquake are: tetanus, gangrene, and the spread of measles, meningitis and other infections.
The risk of preventable diseases increases after an earthquake or other natural disaster, because it produces changes mainly in:
1. The density of the population. Overcrowding increases the chance of air borne diseases, causing an increase in acute respiratory infections.
2. The displacement of the population can introduce diseases to which migrants or indigenous populations are susceptible.
3. Disruption and pollution of water supply and sanitation services, increase the risk of exposure to microorganisms such as Salmonella typhi, which causes typhoid fever. Hepatitis A and E, and diarrheal diseases are other problems that may arise or be complicated by the lack of water.
On the other hand, some other diseases that are endemic to the disaster site, may be present after it, such as cholera, malaria and dengue.
Overcrowding and lack of adequate ventilation in areas of housing, increases the risk of diseases that are transmitted by inhalation as measles, diphtheria, whooping cough and acute respiratory infections like pneumonia.
One of the closest examples of a natural disaster of this kind, is the devastating earthquake in Haiti on Jan. 12. Although so far there have been no outbreaks of infectious diseases, health officials have warned that they remain a latent threat to the survivors of the tragedy, as many of them are living in makeshift camps without the necessary health conditions.
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