Impact of Van earthquake on some water-borne infectious diseases

Abstract

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to compare the isolation frequency of some water-borne disease causing microorganisms in pediatric patients before and after Van earthquake in order to determine the potential impact of earthquake on those selected infectious diseases. Methods: The laboratory test results of Adenovirus, Rotavirus, Hepatitis A virus (HAV), Giardia intestinalis and E.histolytica/dispar which were requested from 0-14 years old children, during six months before and six months after Van earthquake which took place on 23 October 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Adenovirus, Rotavirus, Anti HAV IgM and E.histolytica/dispar showed reduction in the isolation frequency rate during the six months period after the earthquake compared with the same period of previous year. The reduction rates in the isolation frequencies of Rotavirus and E.histolytica/dispar were found to be statistically significant (p<0.001). In contrast, Giardia intestinalis isolation frequency was significantly higher in the six months period after the earthquake (<0.001). Conclusion: Disaster management programme which was conducted after Van earthquake have been shown to be effective in preventing water-borne infectious diseases. Taking special precautions against Giardia spp. after earthquakes should be kept in mind.

Kahramanmaraş Merkezli Depremler Sonrası İçin Akademik Öneriler

“…(ishalli hastalıklar), hepatit A, E ve cilt enfeksiyonlarında (Vahaboglu vd., 2000;Bayramgürler, Bilen, Namlı, Altinaş ve Apaydın, 2002;Sencan, Sahin, Kaya, Oksuz ve Yildirim, 2004) ve 23 Ekim 2011 tarihinde Van'da meydana gelen deprem sonrasında ise Giardia intestinalis vakalarında artış gözlendiği bildirilmiş ve su kaynaklı enfeksiyonları önlemede yürütülen afet yönetiminin etkili olduğu, ayrıca depremler sonrasında; Giardia spp. enfeksiyonlarına karşı özel tedbirlerin alınmasının gerekli olduğu özellikle vurgulanmıştır (Bayram, Parlak, Çikman ve Aypak, 2014). 06 Şubat 2023 tarihinde ülkemizde meydana gelen deprem sonrası Sağlık Bakanı Dr. Fahrettin KOCA yaptığı açıklamada da 61 bin 880 kişide solunum yolu enfeksiyonları (grip vb.…”