Introduction
Earthquake is of the most devastating natural catastrophes whose effects can last for years or even decades. A well-thought-out emergency and disaster management strategy is required since earthquakes can threaten structures, infrastructure, and human lives. Earthquakes may claim thousands of lives once they occur, and after the occurrence, the effects on the affected population are usually detrimental. This paper will look at the challenges while triaging patients following an earthquake, potential risks to the public’s health, and the value of collaboration between various authorities and local groups.
Issues that would make triaging of victims a challenge
One of the most challenging aspects of disaster response is the procedure of triaging injuries following an earthquake. It may be difficult to discern between people who need medical attention and those who do not after an earthquake due to chaos and uncertainty. “Triage,” as defined by Ripoll Gallardo (2018), is the process of categorizing patients based on the seriousness of their illnesses or injuries to decide the order in which treatment should be provided. This might be a demanding responsibility during the chaos that follows an earthquake since many of the victims can be in shock or confused, or they might be hard to find. Additionally, it is sometimes difficult to give all victims sufficient medical care following an earthquake because of a resource deficit.
Public Health issues
While earthquakes result in massive loss of lives and destruction of properties, the aftermath of the catastrophe is usually associated with severe health concerns for the affected populations. Major injuries are caused mainly by partial or complete structure collapse, landslide material movement, the start of post-earthquake fires, physical contact with debris in rapidly moving wave water, and chemical spills (Mavrouli et al., 2023). These may include bruises, fractures, wounds as well as burns. Essentially, the copious amount of dust generated by collapsing structures may cause asphyxiation or airway blockage. The effects of earthquakes on the survivors’ mental health vary. In most instances, the most often seen psychiatric conditions include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression (MD). According to various cultural and sociodemographic characteristics, the prevalence of PTSD after earthquakes has been estimated to range from 1.20 to 87% (Mavrouli et al., 2023). As a result, earthquakes can trigger a series of circumstances that substantially impact public health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). They can also produce unfavorable conditions in the impacted populations, which are conducive to forming isolated cases, outbreaks, and epidemics of infectious diseases.
Infectious diseases may be categorized as water-borne, airborne, or even vector-borne, pollution-related, and wound injuries. According to Nola (2018), it is, however, difficult to accurately forecast a given condition’s spread rate, given the catastrophe’s nature. Infectious illnesses may manifest during the post-impact period, lasting about 4 to 28 days (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Four weeks after the tragedy, detecting the clinical manifestation of the victims’ symptoms is possible, especially if they have a latent infection or an infection with a long incubation period (Ripoll Gallardo et al., 2018). This is a critical period since the newly introduced diseases and the already existing ones in the disaster-affected region could spread and become epidemics.
Among the risk factors that may favor the occurrence of earthquake-related health conditions includes, among others, the severity and magnitude of the earthquake, the demographic and epidemiological features of the affected area, the education level, living standards as well as the damage caused to their health facilities (Mavrouli et al., 2023). Essentially, seasonal fluctuation and overcrowding in earthquake-affected regions may contribute to the prevalence of respiratory illnesses (American Red Cross., 2019). The infectious diseases that have been linked to earthquakes globally to date are divided into four categories: respiratory infections, gastrointestinal disorders (including those that are water- and food-borne), vector-borne diseases, and wound and skin-related infections.
Mitigating measures
Among the ideal mitigation strategies include assessing water and sewerage systems to identify the structural and non-structural damage that can harm public health. It has been recognized and suggested as the most effective approach to combat and prevent the emergence of waterborne infections during earthquake-affected regions. Mavrouli et al. (2023) contend that this mitigation strategy has been the standard procedure in most industrialized nations. If structural and non-structural damage is discovered in these systems, disinfection occurs after chlorination or even an initial supply from a separate source (American Red Cross, 2019). Mavrouli et al. (2023) also assert that individual toilets should be used instead of shared ones to avoid open-air human waste. Also, trench latrines should be supplied in camp locations. It is also crucial to have a hand-washing sink, water, and soap. Safeguarding water sources, especially from wastage and pollution, is essential to enhance sanitation.
Concerning the prevention of respiratory health conditions caused by secondary earthquake’s effects on the environment, such as landslides and liquefaction, mitigation measures are focused on minimizing the quantity of dust that the individuals are exposed to and clearing areas covered by significant liquefied deposits (Nola, 2018). The first post-earthquake action should entail cautioning the population in the affected areas to stay away from dust clouds and other areas covered with immense amounts of dust. Raising knowledge of the hazards presented by airborne infectious illnesses and their influence on public health among doctors, earth scientists, field workers, and the general public are examples of preventive activities.
Public health officials should prioritize monitoring to minimize the risk of vector- and rodent-borne infections throughout the earthquake-affected areas. The effective execution of emergency response and mitigation measures, as well as the development of preparedness initiatives for emerging vector- and rodent-borne diseases, depend on the quick awareness and recognition of local rodent and vector species, environmental factors, and breeding habitats that affect local disease transmission (Mavrouli et al., 2023). Those affected by earthquakes should avoid unmonitored trash dumps and areas with still water where they can contact contaminated drinking water or animal waste.
As contended by Mavrouli et al. (2023), establishing an adequate disease monitoring system is the ideal course of action in managing and preventing infectious diseases caused by earthquakes. This strategy has the capacity to accurately determine trends in infectious illnesses both before and after earthquakes. It would also contribute to a more robust evaluation of managing infectious diseases’ impact on public health. A multiparametric, transdisciplinary, and multihazard strategy ought to be used to regulate this system. Mavrouli et al. (2023) consider this strategy essential, particularly in recent years, when the simultaneous occurrence and progression of geophysical and biological risks and linked calamities with consequences for public health is more common than ever.
Interagency cooperation and local collaboration
Several institutions and organizations must work together to respond to the catastrophe the earthquakes have wrought effectively. This partnership is essential since earthquakes cause extensive harm and disturbance. An effective disaster management strategy must include cooperation between government departments and communities. By sharing information and resources, Nola (2018) notes that by coordinating efforts to respond to and recover from the disaster and working together to establish these strategies, organizations must work together to build plans to decrease the effect of natural calamity. Additionally, local businesses and private citizens must participate to guarantee the plan’s effective implementation.
Conclusion
In the end, earthquakes may be incredibly catastrophic natural calamities that wreak havoc on buildings, infrastructure, and human lives. In the chaos that follows an earthquake, triaging victims can be challenging, and there may be issues with public health, such as the spread of illnesses that are conveyed by water and vectors. An efficient emergency and disaster management strategy must include interagency and local cooperation. These elements are necessary for a successful emergency and disaster management strategy and must be included in order to lessen the event’s consequences. Suppose we better understand the difficulties of reacting to an earthquake and take appropriate measures to mitigate the effects of this natural tragedy. In that case, we may decrease the destruction inflicted by this horrific natural disaster.
References
American Red Cross. (2019). Earthquakes. American Red Cross. https://www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief/types-of-disasters/earthquake.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2016). Public Health Response to Earthquakes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, September 24). Earthquakes. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/index.html
Mavrouli, M., Mavroulis, S., Lekkas, E., & Tsakris, A. (2023). The impact of earthquakes on Public Health: A Narrative Review of Infectious Diseases in the post-disaster period aiming at disaster risk reduction. Microorganisms, 11(2), 419. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11020419
Nola, I. A. (2018). Earthquakes and their environmental, medical, and public health impacts. Salud Pública de México, 60(Supl.1), 16. https://doi.org/10.21149/9212
Ripoll Gallardo, A., Pacelli, B., Alesina, M., Serrone, D., Iacutone, G., Faggiano, F., Della Corte, F., & Allara, E. (2018). Medium- and long-term health effects of earthquakes in high-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Epidemiology, 47(4), 1317–1332. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyy130
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