Assessing that the humanitarian crisis for the inhabitants of its regions is just beginning Turkey And her Syria who have suffered from earthquake Monday and that the next day will be extremely difficult and even healthcare experts speak. Earthquake size, degree areas affected by the earthquakethe living conditions of the inhabitants and the damage to sanitation facilities create here the most dangerous combination for the spread of infectious diseases, such as cholera.

Her research testifies to the danger faced by the inhabitants of these places. Dr. Maria MavruliProf. Athanasios Tsakris (Laboratory of Medical Microbiology, EKPA) and Dr. Spiridonos Mavrulis and Prof. Efthymis Lekkas (Department of Geology and Geoenvironment, EKPA), which was published in the authoritative scientific journal Microorganisms the day after the devastating earthquake in Turkey. and Syria.

Their research married the health sciences and the earth sciences to shed light on the impact of earthquakes on public health and explore the factors that can lead to infectious diseases following major earthquakes.

Multiple Risks

“From our study, which, in a tragic twist of fate, was published the day after the devastating earthquake, it becomes clear how difficult it will be to restore the areas affected by Enceladus. These are areas already degraded and vulnerable, in fact “forgotten” by their condition”, points to “K” Professor of Microbiology and Vice-Rector of ECPA Athanasios Tsakris. And he adds: “Therefore, the consequences will be manifold. I am very afraid that the humanitarian crisis has only just begun. After Richter, residents will also have to face the spread of infectious diseases such as cholera unless an international surveillance system is immediately put in place to detect outbreaks of various infections and the dynamics of their transmission in time.

A study by Greek scientists recorded the impact of catastrophic earthquakes on public health based on data from 552 cases from 1980 to 2016.

In particular, the researchers analyzed data on 552 catastrophic earthquakes that occurred from 1980 to 2016 and recorded their impact on public health. In Haiti, for example, after the magnitude 7 earthquake in 2010, the number of cases of tuberculosis among people living in earthquake camps tripled, and five times among those living in urban slums. Also in the country for the first time after a century of “absence of the disease” an epidemic of cholera was recorded.

1999after the 7.6 magnitude earthquake Izmit, Turkey, an increased incidence of hepatitis A and E was recorded in children in camps, skin infections in general in earthquake victims, including children living in camps years after the earthquake, cases of infections with gastrointestinal symptoms (lambiosis, dysentery). . 1994in her Northridge California, United States, following a 6.7 magnitude earthquake, there was an outbreak of valley fever (coccidioidomycosis), a disease caused by inhalation of dust from soil containing this fungus. Accordingly, after Kefalonia earthquake for February 2014 an increase in respiratory infections has been recorded on the island. Earthquakes, which create ideal conditions for the emergence of infectious diseases in the aftermath of a natural disaster, have been found to have a magnitude equal to or greater than 5.6 on the Richter scale, with widespread and severe consequences for the population, including thousands of victims, injured, according to research. and the homeless need immediate treatment and placement in emergency facilities.

As far as their distribution is concerned, Professor Lekkas reports to “K”. that “earthquakes that can cause infectious diseases occur in the main active rift zones on the planet, such as the Tethys Alpine system (Italy, Greece, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and China), the Pacific belt, commonly known as the Ring of Fire and the Caribbean-Central American zones.”

According to Mr. Lekki and Mavruli, risk factors contributing to the emergence of infectious diseases in areas affected by an earthquake “are the size and intensity of the earthquake, the intensity of its subsequent consequences, the demographic and epidemiological characteristics of the affected area, the level of education and living conditions of the population affected from the earthquake, as well as damage to public health structures.”

Health Dominoes

A major earthquake and subsequent severe structural damage to homes creates an urgent need to immediately accommodate thousands of people in places, organized or not, where overcrowding and deteriorating sanitation prevails. Damage to medical facilities causes problems and delays in providing first aid and emergency medical care to victims. The destruction of sections of the road network results in temporary disruption to transport services and difficulty in providing direct access to basic necessities and emergency services. Most earthquake victims live in overcrowded shelters and emergency shelters, so overcrowded conditions and inadequate ventilation are among the factors that exacerbate upper respiratory tract infections, which usually occur shortly after an earthquake. Water and foodborne infections are mainly caused by contaminated food and water, as well as poor personal hygiene due to circumstances. Mosquitoes, midges, ticks and mites complete the chain of transmission.

“After the earthquakes on the East Anatolian Rift, which literally flattened a vast area with major cities and caused a shocking number of casualties and injuries, the results of our study highlight the need for a comprehensive approach to disaster and crisis prevention. control’ Ms Mavruli underlines the K..

Epidemics after earthquakes

Northridge, California, USA, January 17, 1994
6.7 Richter
(60 dead)
valley fever epidemic

Kobe, Japan, January 17, 1995
6.9 Richter
(5297 dead)
Increase in the number of people with respiratory diseases by 4.5 times

Izmit, Turkey, August 17, 1999
7.6 Richter
(17,127 dead)
An increase in the incidence of hepatitis A and E in children and small outbreaks of gastrointestinal diseases are associated with poor sanitation.

Indonesia 26.12.2004
9.2 Richter
(165,708 dead)
Outbreaks of waterborne infections among tsunami survivors. 85% of children under the age of 5 had diarrhea.

Kashmir, Pakistan, August 10, 2005
7.6 Richter
(86,000 – 87,350 dead)
Growth of infections of the upper respiratory tract (23% of the total incidence).

Haiti 01.12.2010
7 Richter
(222,570 dead)
The incidence of tuberculosis has tripled in the camps and five times in urban slums.

Ecuador 16.04.2016
7.8 Richter
(672 dead)
Zika virus outbreak (1106 cases in the next three months compared to 89 cases previously)