Earthquakes: Challenges and Health Implications June, 2014 | Page 2

Health Implications of Earthquakes
Throughout history, earthquakes have been known to have a catastrophic impact on the
world, killing millions, destroying infrastructure and leaving a number of unsettles issues in their
wake. For mankind, the biggest challenge is not merely to rebuild the infrastructure and account
for the damages and homeless population but also to take measures for the outbreak of various
diseases. Population displacement and re-establishment of sanitation infrastructures are the two
main challenges posed by earthquakes. At the government level, the need for emergency medical
supervision and immediate intervention in order to deal with the threats of various epidemics is
also a massive challenge. In a number of cases, the exhaustion of existing resources in dealing
with the aftermath of earthquakes is also a major issue.
It has been reported that after earthquakes, the general occurrence of a number of cardio
vascular diseases increases. Tsunamis too, have been known to result in an increased percentage
of pneumonia cases. One possible explanation for this maybe the fact that the displaced
population has to live in shelters, that are mostly without the basic provisions, medicines and
sanitation infrastructures. With the incidence of aftershocks and extreme temperatures, people
have to face detrimental physical and mental stress. Cardio Vascular Diseases are closely linked
to activated sympathetic nervous system and high stress levels. It has also been observed that in
the incidence of earthquakes, there is an increased ratio of heightened blood pressure levels and
elevated heart rates. Under these conditions, when people have to consume preserved or canned
food items that are typically high in salt content, the consequences are disastrous to one’s health.
The same increases chances of sudden strokes in individuals irrespective of their age or gender.
The table below gives an indication of the occurrence of different diseases in the event of
different earthquakes (Aoki1, T. and et. al, 2012).

One of the safest ways to ensure epidemic prevention after natural calamities such as
earthquakes is to provide relief to the survivors and to ensure that they are given proper medical
attention. In addition, vaccinating the survivors is also highly recommended. Technologically
advanced and sophisticated nations also make use of continuous disease supervision techniques
and programs in the aftermath of earthquakes in order to combat the supposed threat of different
disease outbreaks. Despite these threats, it is worth highlighting that infectious disease epidemics
in the current era is a rare phenomena. The same has been affirmed by WHO studies that have
Health Implications of Earthquakes

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