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Earthquake

On January 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, killing 4230 000 persons and placing an estimated 1.5 million into internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. IDPs are at increased risk for communicable diseases resulting from unhealthy living conditions. The Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) established the internally displaced persons surveillance system (IDPSS) to detect outbreaks and characterize disease trends within these camps.

IDPSS gathers data on IDPs seen in clinics run by nongovernmental agencies (NGOs). Physician tally sheets are totaled and sent to the MSPP by E-mail or on paper for those without internet connection. Each Monday, analyses of surveillance data through the preceding week are distributed. Reports, guidelines, and forms are sent to MSPP partners and NGOs through the system’s Google group (Mountain View, CA, USA), an internet-based discussion forum.

 

Objective

We evaluated the IDPSS to determine its suitability for use during a complex humanitarian emergency.

Referenced File
Submitted by hparton on

On 12 January 2010 at 1652 hours local time, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and created enormous devastation. Florida, as the state closest to Haiti, became an initial focal point for assisting the federal repatriation and humanitarian parolee efforts. Florida supported shipments of personnel and relief supplies into Haiti, and served as the point of entry for repatriated U.S. citizens and those evacuated from Haiti for medical care. As of 9 February 2010, there were 22,500 arrivals in Florida from Haiti related to repatriation and medical humanitarian missions. These patients primarily arrived in Miami, Tampa and Orlando areas. Approximately 650 people arrived in Florida during this period as medical evacuees, and were transported to and often directly admitted to hospitals for treatment of severe or complicated injuries. Some of these patients also generated emergency department (ED) visits on arrival.

Objective

To describe the public health surveillance efforts designed to measure syndromic and disease-specific conditions in patients who were in Haiti during or after the earthquake, and evacuated to Florida.

Referenced File
Submitted by uysz on

NPDS is a national database of detailed information collected from each call, uploaded in near real-time, from the 57 participating regional poison centers (PCs) located across the US. NPDS is owned and operated by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). Since 2001, scientists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention collaborated with AAPCC to use NPDS for surveillance of chemical, poison and radiological exposures. In March of 2011, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami damaged the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, causing a radiological incident classified as a "major accident" according to the International Nuclear Event Scale. The incident resulted in the release of radioactive iodine (I-131) into the global environment, which was detected in precipitation in parts of the United States. While no adverse health effects were expected, concerned citizens contacted public health officials at the local, state and federal levels. Many started to acquire and use potassium iodide (KI) and other iodide-containing products intended for thyroid protection from I-131, even though this was not a public health recommendation by state and federal public health agencies. Shortly after international media coverage began, regional PCs began receiving calls regarding the Japan radiological incident. State and federal health officials were interested in identifying health communication needs and targeting risk communication messages to address radiation concerns and KI usage recommendations as part of the public health response. This was done in part through NPDS-based surveillance.

Objective

To describe how the National Poison Data System (NPDS) was used for surveillance of individuals with potential incident-related exposures in the United States resulting from the Japan earthquake radiological incident of 2011. Our secondary objective is to briefly describe the process used to confirm exposures identified through NPDS-based surveillance.

Referenced File
Submitted by elamb on

In 2011, March 11th, the big earthquake attacked eastern Japan, and forced a lot of people to live in evacuation sites. Since those evaluation sites have high density of population and sanitary condition was poor in these sites, outbreaks of influenza, noro virus or other infectious diseases were concerned.

Objective

For an early detection and control of an infectious disease outbreak, we developed and have been operating syndromic surveillance for evacuation sites, "evacuation site surveillance."

Referenced File
Submitted by elamb on

In 2011, March 11th, the big earthquake attacked eastern Japan followed by huge tsunami and nuclear plant accident. Consequently a lot of people could not help living in evacuation sites. Since those evaluation sites have high density of population and were not necessarily good in sanitary condition, outbreaks of influenza, norovirus or other infectious diseases were concerned.

Objective

For an early detection and control of an infectious disease outbreak, we developed and have been operating syndromic surveillance for evacuation sites, "evacuation site surveillance."

Referenced File
Submitted by elamb on
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