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pece_annotation_1473603896

Andreas_Rebmann
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Negligible risk for epidemics after geophysical disasters

Narrative review: tetanus—a health threat after natural disasters in developing countries

Infectious diseases following natural disasters: prevention and control measures

Use of mobile phones in an emergency reporting system for infectious disease surveillance after the Sichuan earthquake in China

pece_annotation_1473603392

Andreas_Rebmann
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Dr. John Watson, the primary author of this study, works for WHO as a medical epidemiologist with the Disease Control in Humanitarian Emergencies Program (this program is the one providing technical and operational support for the study). In his work, he particularly studies respiratory disease and tuberculosis, focusing on surveillance, prevention and control. He is a Chairman of the International Society for Influenza.

pece_annotation_1473603864

Andreas_Rebmann
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The article emphasizes the need for a disaster-preparedness plan, with pre-existing infrastructure to address trauma and mass casualty management, as well as long-term sources of clean water and waste disposal. Assured primary healthcare and wide-spread vaccination usage help with these efforts.

Post-disaster, there will need to be intervention to ensure that these standards are being met, as well as surveillance for communicable diseases.

pece_annotation_1473603839

Andreas_Rebmann
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It appeared to be mostly a compilation-based study, amassing and comparing previously completed research to reach the conclusion and build the argument in the paper. Primarily, the author cited outside sources for all of the “heavy-lifting” science, and was primarily drawing the over-arching conclusion about the relationship between natural disasters and epidemics.

pece_annotation_1473603815

Andreas_Rebmann
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“Despite these facts, the risk for outbreaks after disasters is frequently exaggerated by both health offi cials and the media. Imminent threats of epidemics remain a recurring theme of media reports from areas recently affected by disasters, despite attempts to dispel these myths.”

“The risk for communicable disease transmission after disasters is associated primarily with the size and characteristics of the population displaced, specifi cally the proximity of safe water and functioning latrines, the nutritional status of the displaced population, the level of immunity to vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, and the access to healthcare services” 

“Disaster-related deaths are overwhelmingly caused by the initial traumatic impact of the event. Disaster-preparedness plans, appropriately focused on trauma and mass casualty management, should also take into account the health needs of the surviving disaster-affected populations.” 

pece_annotation_1473603779

Andreas_Rebmann
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There is no evidence that corpses cause or spread disease following a natural disaster. There would have to be more direct circumstances for potential damage from corpses.

The risk associated with epidemics is correlated to the population displaced and affected by infrastructure.

The most commun post-natural disaster diseases are related to water contamination and crowding. While corpses could potential contaminate water, because the population is displaced the corpses likely won't contaminate the new water source, but the overcrowded displaced population will. Some of such disease include Hepatitis A and E, Leptospirosis, and measles. Meninginitis and Acute Respiratory Infections can also develop if vaccinations are not prevelant there.