The Threat of Communicable Diseases Following Natural Disasters: A Public Health Response

Waring, Stephen; Brown, Bruce J.

doi:10.1016/j.dmr.2005.02.003

Cited by 124 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…These results were expected since lack of safe water, adequate sanitation and hygiene and exposure to substantial loss and stress have often been observed among conflict-affected displaced populations (Stauffer and Weinberg, 2009;Toole, 1997) and those experiencing the aftermath of natural disasters (Joshi et al, 2011;Ligam, 2006;Waring and Brown, 2005).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Terrorism, civil war, one-sided violence and global burden of disease

Kerridge

Khan

Sapkota

2012

Medicine, Conflict and Survival

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The purpose of this dissertation was to examine relationships between terrorism, civil war This dissertation research highlighted the need to expand the traditional focus of intervention for communicable diseases among conflict-affected populations to include a variety of noncommunicable diseases (Paper 1). Results underscore the need for international government and nongovernment organizations to prioritize high risk areas for diarrheal and related disease control to include conflict-affected populations with particular attention to young children who are most vulnerable to these diseases (Paper 2). That terrorism and related violence influence diarrheal and related diseases in the longer-term suggests that control strategies should move beyond short-term provisions for safe water and adequate sanitation to seek solutions through health systems infrastructure development. Greater attention should also be given to the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders in conflict-affected populations including brief interventions targeted at high risk substance users, provisions for needles and syringes and management of withdrawal and other acute substance-related conditions (Paper 3).Strengthening substance abuse treatment systems among conflict-affected populations will be critical in identifying and treating of a variety of physical and psychiatric disorders that are often comorbid with substance use disorders. Taken together, this research has served to highlight the full health costs of terrorism, civil war and one-sided violence will ultimately contribute to forging a stronger rationale for promoting peace.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Terrorism, civil war, one-sided violence and global burden of disease

Kerridge

Khan

Sapkota

2012

Medicine, Conflict and Survival

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“…As a deadly wound-related infectious disease, tetanus must be a consideration in any natural disaster situation such as an earthquake and tsunami, as one of the few vaccine-preventable and not contagious disease (Waring and Brown 2005;Afshar et al 2011). The rubble from collapsed structures and building, debris, and any kind of sharp material such as glass and nails contaminated with C. tetani in the environment can engender severe conditions.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention of Tetanus Outbreak Following Natural Disaster in Indonesia: Lessons Learned from Previous Disasters

Pascapurnama

Murakami

Chagan-Yasutan

et al. 2016

Tohoku J. Exp. Med.

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In Indonesia, the Aceh earthquake and tsunami in 2004 killed 127,000 people and caused half a million injuries, while the Yogyakarta earthquake in 2006 caused 5,700 deaths and 37,000 injuries. Because disaster-affected areas are vulnerable to epidemic-prone diseases and tetanus is one such disease that is preventable, we systematically reviewed the literature related to tetanus outbreaks following previous two natural disasters in Indonesia. Based on our findings, recommendations for proper vaccination and education can be made for future countermeasures. Using specified keywords related to tetanus and disasters, relevant documents were screened from PubMed, the WHO website, and books. Reports offering limited data and those released before 2004 were excluded. In all, 16 publications were reviewed systematically. Results show that 106 cases of tetanus occurred in Aceh, with a case fatality ratio (CFR) of 18.9%; 71 cases occurred in Yogyakarta, with CFR of 36.6%. For both outbreaks, most patients had been wounded during scavenging or evacuation after the disaster occurred. Poor access to health care because of limited transportation or hospital facilities, and low vaccination coverage and lack of awareness of tetanus risk contributed to delayed treatment and case severity. Tetanus outbreaks after disasters are preventable by increasing vaccination coverage, improving wound care treatment, and establishing a regular surveillance system, in addition to good practices of disaster management and supportive care following national guidelines. Furthermore, health education for communities should be provided to raise awareness of tetanus risk reduction.

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“…The risk of outbreaks can increase due to poor hygiene, stress, malnutrition, inadequate and densely populated shelters housing many vulnerable people, and lack of access to healthcare services in affected areas (1,2). Among respiratory infections, influenza can have a significant public health impact if a natural disaster occurs during the influenza season.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Outbreaks of infectious disease often become a public health concern after major natural disasters (1). The risk of outbreaks can increase due to poor hygiene, stress, malnutrition, inadequate and densely populated shelters housing many vulnerable people, and lack of access to healthcare services in affected areas (1,2).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%