Following major natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, there are numerous risks to human life and health, including injuries, trauma, dehydration, and hunger. In these situations, another danger may be lurking in crowded shelters with restricted access to water: epidemic diseases.
Natural disasters can also hinder the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Hygiene, sanitation, and vaccination efforts are disrupted by the effects of natural disasters. Sanitation refers to the comprehensive efforts to protect, improve, and restore health. Sanitation works aim to bring all conditions in line with public health standards.
Additionally, due to regional conditions affected by the disaster, people's weakened immune systems, combined with living in confined spaces with limited water and hygiene facilities, create a conducive environment for the spread of infectious diseases.
Some of the most common and deadly epidemic diseases that can arise after natural disasters include:
Gastrointestinal disorders: Diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, which can spread through contaminated food and water sources and lead to dehydration and, at advanced stages, death if untreated, fall into this category.
Respiratory diseases: Diseases like influenza, pneumonia, and tuberculosis, which can easily spread through close contact in crowded areas and affect vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and people with chronic illnesses more severely, fall into this category.
Vector-borne diseases: Diseases such as malaria, rabies, and leptospirosis spread through organisms like infected mosquitoes, other insects, or rodents.
Skin diseases: Diseases like scabies and fungal infections, which spread through skin-to-skin contact, contaminated objects, and poor hygiene practices, are among those that can spread during natural disasters.
Measures that can be taken to prevent and control the spread of epidemic diseases following a natural disaster include:
• Rapid assessment and treatment of patients, followed by monitoring them to prevent further transmission.
• Ensuring safe and adequate water access, including handwashing stations, mobile toilets, shower areas, and waste management systems.
• Promoting personal and community hygiene practices such as handwashing, safe food preparation, and waste management.
• Ensuring the bodies of those who died during the disaster are buried as soon as possible and the area is disinfected.
• Providing vaccination (tetanus should be urgently administered to all injured individuals).
Natural disasters can cause substantial physical and emotional damage. To prevent the escalation of these damages, it is possible to mitigate the impact of epidemic diseases and prevent their spread by taking necessary precautions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are epidemics more common after natural disasters?
Following natural disasters, factors such as damage to infrastructure, contamination of water and food sources, and disruption of health services make the spread of epidemic diseases common. In disaster areas, people begin to live in temporary and crowded shelters. If adequate hygiene conditions are not provided in these areas, gastrointestinal diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, as well as respiratory and skin diseases, can spread rapidly.
What should be done in the first 72 hours after a disaster to prevent epidemic diseases?
The first 72 hours after a disaster are critical for preventing infectious diseases. During this time, access to clean water must be ensured, hygiene infrastructure must be established in temporary shelters, and emergency health screenings should be conducted. Injured individuals should have access to emergency vaccines like tetanus, and the burial of deceased individuals should be performed quickly under hygienic conditions.
Which infectious diseases pose the greatest threat after a disaster?
Among the common epidemic diseases following a disaster, waterborne infections such as cholera, typhoid, and dysentery are prominent. Additionally, respiratory diseases like influenza, pneumonia, and tuberculosis can spread rapidly in crowded living areas. Skin diseases like scabies and fungal infections, as well as vector-borne diseases such as malaria carried by mosquitoes, are serious threats. These diseases can lead to health crises both individually and at the community level.
Are children and the elderly more affected by epidemics during natural disasters?
Yes, children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic illnesses are among the most at-risk groups for potential epidemics following a disaster. Inadequate nutrition, lack of hygiene, and inability to access healthcare services make these individuals more susceptible to infections.
