Preventing and controlling disease outbreaks in a complex emergency situation: discussion of the tsunami aftermath

Abstract

The effects of the tsunami tidal wave which hit countries in south Asia and east Africa on 26 December 2004, presented a potential communicable disease threat immediately after the initial physical devastation

Risk factors and risk factor cascades for communicable disease outbreaks in complex humanitarian emergencies: a qualitative systematic review

“…Definitions for CHEs, sometimes also simply called complex emergencies, are plentiful; however, as most agencies involved in the management of this type of disaster agree on some key issues, we used the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) definition: “(M)ultifaceted humanitarian crisis in a country, region or society where there is a total or considerable breakdown of authority resulting from internal or external conflict and which requires a multi-sectoral, international response that goes beyond the mandate or capacity of any agency and/or the ongoing United Nations country programme”. 1 As such, emergencies such as the 2013–2015 West Africa Ebola outbreak, the Plague outbreak in Madagascar, tsunamis, 8 tropical storms and other disasters associated with a natural hazard are not classified as CHEs under the UNOCHA definition and therefore not eligible for inclusion in this systematic review.…”

The epidemiological profile of incidence and mortality from epidemics in complex humanitarian emergencies from 1990 to 2022 – A scoping review

“…Continuous epidemiological surveillance systems have been shown to be essential in CE, as they reduce mortality and case fatality rates. The excess morbidity and mortality caused by communicable diseases in CE can largely be prevented when interventions are based on proper analysis, focusing on indicators proven to be associated with mortality [71,72]. These interventions should be selected based on evidence of outcomes [32], their availability, and implementation according to intervention standards [73].…”

Emergency supply chain management for controlling infectious disease outbreaks

“…Logistics operations may be easily disrupted due to the impacts of the initial disaster and, therefore, several managerial challenges could also arise. Medical supplies may be lacking, storage and transport facilities may be devastated and electricity supply might be disrupted in many places (Nicoll 2005). Mismanagement of supply systems is further exacerbated by unsolicited donations of medical supplies, medicines, and field hospitals brought into the affected country by other governments and NGOs (Valenciano, Coulombier et al 2003).…”

“…Coordination is a key element of several aspects of IDOs control systems in CHEs. In particular, coordination is necessary for the establishment of proper surveillance mechanisms and early warning systems (Valenciano, Coulombier et al 2003;Nicoll 2005;Pinto, Saeed et al 2005;World Health Organization 2005;Chretien, Blazes et al 2007;World Health Organization 2012;Polonsky, Luquero et al 2013), the management of education, supply chain, treatment, and prevention channels (Farmer, Almazor et al 2011), the establishment of good relationships between volunteers from NGOs and national health care workers in the field (Global Task Force on Cholera Control 2004), the implementation of collaborative disease activities targeting dual epidemics in emergency settings like, for instance, tuberculosis and HIV control programs (World Health Organization 2007) and, finally, the control of vectors (Protopopoff, Van Herp et al 2007). Coordination is also critical for the implementation of immunization campaigns in CHEs.…”

“…Stockpiling of essential medical supplies is critical for assuring the availability of these supplies, particularly during the initial phase of an emergency where a great number of people is likely to seek medical treatment (World Health Organization 1999;Global Task Force on Cholera Control 2004;Nicoll 2005;World Health Organization 2005;World Health Organization 2005;Bracho, Varela et al 2010;Farmer, Almazor et al 2011;Tappero and Tauxe 2011). The implementation of immunization campaigns also relies on the establishment of adequate stockpiles of vaccines as well as supplementary supplies (auto-destruct syringes, safety boxes etc) (World Health Organization 1999; Global Task Force on cholera control 2006; Vijayaraghavan, Lievano et al 2006;World Health Organization 2006).…”