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Mavrouli M, Mavroulis S, Lekkas E, Tsakris A. The Impact of Earthquakes on Public Health: A Narrative Review of Infectious Diseases in the Post-Disaster Period Aiming to Disaster Risk Reduction. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11020419. [PMID: 36838384 PMCID: PMC9968131 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11020419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Earthquakes are among the most impressive natural phenomena with very high potential to set off a chain of effects that significantly affects public health through casualties and injuries. Related disasters are attributed not only to the strong ground motion and coseismic phenomena but also to secondary effects, comprising mainly landslides and tsunamis, among others. All these can create harsh conditions favorable for the emergence of infectious diseases that are capable of causing additional human and economic losses and disruption of the emergency and recovery process. The present study comprises an extensive narrative review of the existing literature on the earthquake-triggered infectious diseases recorded worldwide, along with their symptoms, causative pathogens, associated risk factors, most vulnerable population groups, and prevention strategies. Respiratory, gastrointestinal, and vector-borne diseases, as well as wound and skin infections, are mainly recorded among the earthquake-affected population. Measures for effectively preventing earthquake-triggered infectious diseases are also proposed. One of the widely proposed measures is the establishment of a proper disease surveillance system in order to immediately and effectively identify the pre- and post-disaster occurrence of infectious diseases. This approach significantly contributes to disease trends monitoring, validation of early warning, and support of the emergency response and recovery actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Mavrouli
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Spyridon Mavroulis
- Department of Dynamic Tectonic Applied Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, School of Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Efthymios Lekkas
- Department of Dynamic Tectonic Applied Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geoenvironment, School of Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 15784 Athens, Greece
| | - Athanassios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
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Suk JE, Vaughan EC, Cook RG, Semenza JC. Natural disasters and infectious disease in Europe: a literature review to identify cascading risk pathways. Eur J Public Health 2021; 30:928-935. [PMID: 31169886 PMCID: PMC7536539 DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Natural disasters are increasing in their frequency and complexity. Understanding how their cascading effects can lead to infectious disease outbreaks is important for developing cross-sectoral preparedness strategies. The review focussed on earthquakes and floods because of their importance in Europe and their potential to elucidate the pathways through which natural disasters can lead to infectious disease outbreaks. Methods A systematic literature review complemented by a call for evidence was conducted to identify earthquake or flooding events in Europe associated with potential infectious disease events. Results This review included 17 peer-reviewed papers that reported on suspected and confirmed infectious disease outbreaks following earthquakes (4 reports) or flooding (13 reports) in Europe. The majority of reports related to food- and water-borne disease. Eleven studies described the cascading effect of post-disaster outbreaks. The most reported driver of disease outbreaks was heavy rainfall, which led to cross-connections between water and other environmental systems, leading to the contamination of rivers, lakes, springs and water supplies. Exposure to contaminated surface water or floodwater following flooding, exposure to animal excreta and post-disaster living conditions were among other reported drivers of outbreaks. Conclusions The cascade effects of natural disasters, such as earthquakes and floods, include outbreaks of infectious disease. The projection that climate change-related extreme weather events will increase in Europe in the coming century highlights the importance of strengthening preparedness planning and measures to mitigate and control outbreaks in post-disaster settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan E Suk
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden
| | | | | | - Jan C Semenza
- European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, Solna, Sweden
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Babaie J, Pashaei Asl Y, Naghipour B, Faridaalaee G. Cardiovascular Diseases in Natural Disasters; a Systematic Review. ARCHIVES OF ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2021; 9:e36. [PMID: 34027431 PMCID: PMC8126350 DOI: 10.22037/aaem.v9i1.1208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: As a result of destruction and lack of access to vital infrastructures and mental stress, disasters intensify cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and hence management of CVDs becomes more challenging. The aim of this study is investigating incidence and prevalence of CVDs, morbidity and mortality of CVDs, treatment and management of CVDs at the time of natural disasters. Methods: In the present systematic review, the articles published in English language until 28. 11. 2020, which studied CVDs in natural disasters were included. The inclusion criteria were CVDs such as myocardial infarction (MI), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), hypertension (HTN), pulmonary edema, and heart failure (HF) in natural disasters such as earthquake, flood, storm, hurricane, cyclone, typhoon, and tornado. Result: The search led to accessing 4426 non-duplicate records. Finally, the data of 104 articles were included in quality appraisal. We managed to find 4, 21 and 79 full text articles, which considered cardiovascular diseases at the time of flood, storm, and earthquake, respectively. Conclusion: Prevalence of CVD increases after disasters. Lack of access to medication or lack of medication adjustment, losing home blood pressure monitor as a result of destruction and physical and mental stress after disasters are of the most significant challenges of controlling and managing CVDs. By means of quick establishment of health clinics, quick access to appropriate diagnosis and treatment, providing and access to medication, self-management, and self-care incentives along with appropriate medication and non-medication measures to control stress, we can better manage and control cardiovascular diseases, particularly hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Babaie
- Department of Health Policy& Management, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Tabriz Health Services Management Research Center,Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Iranian Center of Excellence in Health Management, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yousef Pashaei Asl
- Department of Health Policy& Management, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahman Naghipour
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Faridaalaee
- Emergency Medicine Research Team, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Emergency Medicine, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran.,Disaster Research Team, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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Di Lorenzo R, Frattini N, Dragone D, Farina R, Luisi F, Ferrari S, Bandiera G, Rovesti S, Ferri P. Psychiatric Emergencies During the Covid-19 Pandemic: A 6-Month Observational Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021; 17:1763-1778. [PMID: 34113107 PMCID: PMC8184244 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s307128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The new SARS-CoV-2 has caused an ongoing pandemic. Health prevention measures to contain the outbreak are profoundly affecting the physical and mental health as well as personal freedom of the population. AIM To evaluate psychiatric emergencies in a 6-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared to those of the corresponding period of the previous year. METHODS This monocentric observational study preliminarily collected variables of the urgent psychiatric consultations (UPCs) carried out in emergency room (ER) from 1-3-2020 to 31-8-2020 and the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who required UPCs in the 6-month period, comparing these data with those collected from 1-3-2019 to 31-8-2019. The data, collected in alpha-numeric code, were statistically analyzed through STATA 12-2011. RESULTS This research reported a reduction of both UPCs and hospital psychiatric admissions. Concomitantly, we observed an increase of UPCs required by people already being treated by psychiatric and other health services, residents in psychiatric facilities and non-Italians. In 2020, differently from 2019, the most frequent reasons for urgent psychiatric consultations were aggressive behavior and adjustment disorders with anxiety and depressive mood. CONCLUSION This preliminary study suggests that, during the COVID-19 epidemic, urgent psychiatric consultations in ER were reduced, except for the most vulnerable people due to their clinical and/or social conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosaria Di Lorenzo
- Psychiatric Intensive Treatment Facility, Mental Health and Drug Abuse Department of AUSL-Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Frattini
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, School of Nursing, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Diego Dragone
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Riccardo Farina
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Filippa Luisi
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Silvia Ferrari
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Geminiano Bandiera
- Emergency Room and Emergency Medicine Unit, General Hospital of Baggiovara, AOU of Modena, Modena, Italy
| | - Sergio Rovesti
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Paola Ferri
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
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Man RXG, Lack DA, Wyatt CE, Murray V. The effect of natural disasters on cancer care: a systematic review. Lancet Oncol 2019; 19:e482-e499. [PMID: 30191852 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(18)30412-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
As the incidence of cancer and the frequency of extreme weather events rise, disaster mitigation is becoming increasingly relevant to oncology care. In this systematic Review, we aimed to investigate the effect of natural disasters on cancer care and the associated health effects on patients with cancer. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect for articles published between database inception and November 12, 2016. Articles identifying the effect of natural disasters on oncology services or the associated health implications for patients with cancer were included. Only articles published in English were included. Data extraction was done by two authors independently and then verified by all authors. The effects of disaster events on oncology services, survival outcomes, and psychological issues were assessed. Of the 4593 studies identified, only 85 articles met all the eligibility criteria. Damage to infrastructure, communication systems and medication, and medical record losses substantially disrupt oncology care. The effect of extreme weather events on survival outcomes is limited to only a small number of studies, often with inadequate follow-up periods. Natural disasters cause substantial interruption to the provision of oncology care. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic Review to assess the existing evidence base on the health effects of natural disaster events on cancer care. We advocate for the consideration of patients with cancer during disaster planning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralph Xiu-Gee Man
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
| | - David A Lack
- Emergency Department, Hervey Bay Hospital, Pialba, QLD, Australia
| | - Charlotte E Wyatt
- Dermatology Department, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Virginia Murray
- Global Disaster Risk Reduction, Public Health England, London, UK
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Bekçibaşı M, Hoşoğlu S, Deveci Ö, Dayan S. Therapy for wound infections after earthquakes requires inclusion of drugs targeting Gram-negative bacteria. Infect Dis (Lond) 2017; 49:862-864. [DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2017.1337276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammed Bekçibaşı
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Bismil State Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Salih Hoşoğlu
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Fatih University School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Özcan Deveci
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakır, Turkey
| | - Saim Dayan
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Dicle University School of Medicine, Diyarbakır, Turkey
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Successful implementation of thirty five major orthopaedic procedures under poor conditions after the two thousand and fifteen Nepal earthquake. INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS 2016; 40:2469-2477. [DOI: 10.1007/s00264-016-3284-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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