MEVE 015: Unit 10 - Disaster Epidemiology

-

 UNIT 10: DISASTER EPIDEMIOLOGY

10.0 Introduction

Disaster epidemiology is a critical area within public health that involves the application of epidemiologic methods to assess and mitigate the health effects of disasters. It plays a central role in guiding public health interventions, resource allocation, and preparedness strategies. This unit delves into the concepts of disaster epidemiology, health assessments, outbreak investigation, environmental health issues, and preventive and prophylactic public health measures during disaster scenarios.

10.1 Objectives

After completing this unit, learners will be able to:

  • Define disaster epidemiology and explain its scope.
  • Understand and conduct rapid health and needs assessments.
  • Investigate and manage disease outbreaks during disasters.
  • Address sanitation and hygiene issues in disaster-affected areas.
  • Implement public health strategies such as chemoprophylaxis, ORS, and food fortification.
  • Understand reproductive health care needs during emergencies.

10.2 Disaster Epidemiology

Disaster epidemiology involves the study of the distribution and determinants of health problems related to disasters. It helps identify vulnerable populations, prioritize health needs, and evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.

Key functions:

  • Monitoring disease outbreaks.
  • Conducting health surveys.
  • Supporting health resource planning.
  • Providing real-time data for decision-making.

Disaster epidemiologists collaborate with emergency teams, NGOs, and public health authorities to minimize morbidity and mortality.

10.3 Rapid Health Assessment

Rapid Health Assessment (RHA) is conducted immediately after a disaster to evaluate the extent of damage, casualties, and health needs.

Components include:

  • Number of affected individuals.
  • Types of injuries and diseases.
  • Availability of health facilities and personnel.
  • Needs for shelter, food, water, and sanitation.

It enables quick prioritization and allocation of resources to the most urgent needs.

10.4 Rapid Health Needs Assessment

This is an extension of RHA, focusing specifically on the health services and supplies needed.

Assesses:

  • Requirements for medical supplies and medicines.
  • Health care workforce capacity.
  • Mental health support.
  • Special care for vulnerable groups (elderly, pregnant women, children).

Such assessments are dynamic and must be updated regularly as the situation evolves.

10.5 Outbreak Investigation

Disease outbreaks often follow disasters due to displacement, poor sanitation, and overcrowding.

Steps in outbreak investigation:

  1. Establishing the existence of an outbreak.
  2. Defining and identifying cases.
  3. Describing cases by time, place, and person.
  4. Developing hypotheses.
  5. Testing hypotheses and identifying the source.
  6. Implementing control and prevention measures.
  7. Communicating findings.

Collaboration with laboratory services is critical to confirm diagnoses and trace pathogens.

10.6 Environmental Health, Hygiene, and Sanitation Issues During Disasters

Disasters disrupt water supply, waste management, and hygiene practices, increasing the risk of disease transmission.

Major concerns:

  • Inadequate waste disposal.
  • Lack of toilets or open defecation.
  • Contaminated water.
  • Vector breeding grounds.

Solutions:

  • Deploying sanitation kits.
  • Promoting hand hygiene.
  • Safe waste collection and disposal systems.

10.7 Water Supply

Safe drinking water is essential during disasters. Contaminated water leads to diarrheal diseases and outbreaks.

Interventions:

  • Water purification (chlorination, boiling).
  • Use of water filters and disinfection tablets.
  • Installation of tankers or mobile water units.
  • Monitoring water quality regularly.

WHO minimum standards recommend 15–20 liters of water per person per day in emergency settings.

10.8 Community Health

Community health approaches are vital for disease prevention and recovery.

Focus areas:

  • Health education and awareness.
  • Community-based surveillance.
  • Engagement of local health workers and volunteers.
  • Vaccination campaigns.
  • Mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS).

Community participation enhances resilience and compliance with health guidelines.

10.9 Preventive and Prophylactic Measures

These are essential to curb the spread of diseases in disaster-hit populations.

  • Immunization (e.g., measles, cholera, tetanus).
  • Use of bed nets to prevent malaria.
  • Hygiene promotion and behavioral change communication (BCC).
  • Water treatment practices.

These measures reduce both communicable and non-communicable disease burdens.

10.10 ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution)

ORS is a life-saving solution used to treat dehydration due to diarrhea and cholera.

Composition (per liter of water):

  • Sodium chloride – 2.6 g
  • Glucose – 13.5 g
  • Potassium chloride – 1.5 g
  • Trisodium citrate – 2.9 g

Benefits:

  • Restores electrolyte balance.
  • Reduces mortality in diarrheal outbreaks.
  • Easy to prepare and administer.

ORS should be widely distributed and promoted during emergencies.

10.11 Chemoprophylaxis

Chemoprophylaxis is the administration of drugs to prevent disease in high-risk populations.

Examples:

  • Doxycycline or azithromycin for leptospirosis.
  • Antimalarial drugs in endemic regions.
  • Antibiotics during meningitis outbreaks.

Care must be taken to avoid overuse and resistance. Targeted prophylaxis based on surveillance is preferred.

10.12 Food Fortification

In disasters, nutrition is compromised due to food shortages or reliance on relief food.

Food fortification is the addition of micronutrients to commonly consumed food items to prevent deficiencies.

Common nutrients:

  • Iron, iodine, vitamin A, zinc, folic acid.

Fortified items:

  • Salt (iodized), flour, oil, milk powders.

Fortification is a cost-effective, population-wide preventive measure.

10.13 MISP for Reproductive Health Care

MISP (Minimum Initial Service Package) is a priority set of reproductive health interventions during emergencies.

Key services:

  • Prevention of sexual violence and treatment of survivors.
  • Prevention of maternal and newborn deaths.
  • Access to contraception.
  • Prevention and management of HIV/STIs.
  • Planning for comprehensive reproductive health services.

MISP ensures the dignity, safety, and well-being of women and girls during crises.

10.14 Let Us Sum Up

  • Disaster epidemiology provides a scientific approach to understanding and mitigating health impacts of disasters.
  • Rapid assessments guide emergency response.
  • Outbreaks can be prevented through hygiene, surveillance, and public health interventions.
  • ORS, chemoprophylaxis, and food fortification are key tools to maintain population health.
  • MISP ensures essential reproductive health services in emergencies.

10.15 Key Words

  • Disaster Epidemiology: Study of health impacts and disease patterns related to disasters.
  • Rapid Health Assessment: Quick evaluation of health conditions after a disaster.
  • Outbreak Investigation: Steps to identify and control disease outbreaks.
  • ORS: Oral Rehydration Solution for treating dehydration.
  • Chemoprophylaxis: Preventive use of medicines.
  • MISP: Minimum Initial Service Package for reproductive health care during emergencies.

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Jcert Class 8 Daffodil Chapter 1a: The Naive Friends Solutions

-
Chapter 1a : The Naive Friends Answer the following questions: 1. Which questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg? Ans.         How did the chick come out? How big would the eggs? How many? What colours would they? What did they eat? Such types of questions made Keshav and Shyama curious about the egg. 2. What three things did the children do to protect the eggs? Ans.         The children done three things are: (i)          Adjustment of food. (ii)        Adjustment of water. (iii)      Adjustment of roof. 3. Why did Keshav think of making a cushion for the eggs? Ans.         When Keshav saw the egg on direct sun light, he thaught making a cushion for the eggs. 4. What excuse did Keshav give for not showing the eggs to Shyama? Ans.     ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 3 मित्रता Solutions

-
अध्याय - 3 : मित्रता 1. आप किस प्रकार कह सकते हैं कि मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है? उ. मित्रों के चुनाव की उपयुक्तता पर हमारे जीवन की सफलता निर्भर करती है क्योंकि संगति का गुप्त प्रभाव हमारे आचरण पर पड़ता है और यदि हमें अच्छी संगति, अच्छे मित्र मिलते हैं तो वे हमें सफलता की ओर ले जाते हैं जबकि बुरी संगति हमारे जीवन को खाक में मिला देती है।  2. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है।' आशय स्पष्ट कीजिए। उ. 'विश्वासपात्र मित्र जीवन की एक औषध है'- ऐसा इसलिए कहा गया है कि यदि हमें विश्वासी मित्र मिल गया तो हम अपने जीवन में चाहे जैसा भी कदम उठाएँ, उस कदम की आलोचना करके वह हमें सही दिशा की ओर उन्मुख करेगा। हम अपनी गलती रूपी बीमारी को उसकी आलोचना रूपी औषधि से दूर कर सकेंगे।  3. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें किन बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए? उ. मित्र का चुनाव करते समय हमें निम्नलिखित बातों का ध्यान रखना चाहिए हमारे अच्छे विचारों (संकल्पों) को दृढ़ करने वाला हो। हमें दोषों और त्रुटियों से बचाए। हमारे सत्य, पवित्रता ...
Read more

Jcert Class 8 भाषा मंजरी Chapter 8 अमरूद का पेड Solutions

-
अध्याय - 8 : अमरूद का पेड 1. लेखक को क्यों लगता है कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा। उ. अमरूद के पेड़ को देखकर सबसे पहले बाबू कन्हैयालाल की बूढ़ी पत्नी ने एक दिन टोका कि पश्चिम की तरफ अगर मकान का मुखड़ा हो और सामने ही अमरूद का पेड़ तो 'राम-राम बड़ा अशुभ होता है और माँ के चेहरे पर थोड़ा-सा भय दिखा पर लेखक को विश्वास था कि इन सब पिछड़े खयालातों का हमारे घर में गुजर नहीं हो सकेगा क्योंकि उसके घर के लोग आधुनिक विचारधारा के थे उसकी माँ सत्याग्रह के दिनों में अजमेर में लम्बा जेल कर चुकी है। पिताजी खुद राजनैतिक सामाजिक उदारता वाले आदमी थे। बुआ ने विवाह नहीं किया था, पढ़ने-लिखने में ही अपनी सम्पूर्ण जिन्दगी लगा दी और समाज कोई चुनौती देने का साहस नहीं कर सका। साथ ही परिवार के सभी लोगों में पिछड़ेपन के प्रति भर्त्सना का भाव था। 2. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया किस प्रकार लेखक को उनके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है ? उ. अमरूद के पेड़ की छाया लेखक को उसके भाई-बहनों के साथ जोड़ती है। वे सभी अमरूद की छाया में बेंत की कुर्सियों पर बैठ चर्चाएँ करते थे जिससे उनके बीच...
Read more