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Objective To assess the schistosomiasis transmission risk after flood disaster in Hubei Province in 2021, so as to provide a scientific basis for schistosomiasis prevention and control in corresponding areas. Methods The data pertaining to the endemic situation of schistosomiasis were collected from Hubei, including oncomelania snail distribution, and humans and livestock schistosomiasis infection. The warning water level and actual water situation were collected in corresponding water areas. The cumulative numbers of S. japonicum egg-positive people and cattle from 2014 to 2020, the distribution area of oncomelania snail in 2020, and the water levels from May 1 to August 31, 2021, were estimated and employed as parameters for classification of schistosomiasis transmission risk. The cumulative value of each risk index was calculated in each epidemic county (city and district) to comprehensively assess the risk of schistosomiasis transmission after flood disaster in each region. Results After the flood disaster in Hubei province in 2021, there were 2 counties (districts) at high risk of schistosomiasis transmission in Hubei based on the single risk index of fecal positive number. Based on comprehensive risk indices, there were 2 counties identified at grade 4 risk of schistosomiasis transmission. Conclusion After the flood in 2021, schistosomiasis in Hubei Province is mainly at low and medium epidemic risk. Xiantao City and Hanchuan City in Hanjiang River Basin are the two most seriously affected schistosomiasis epidemic cities. Flood disasters can increase the risk of schistosomiasis transmission and epidemic, so the monitoring and control of schistosomiasis after flood should be strengthened to control the disease transmission to the maximum extent.
ABSTRACT
Flood disaster is one of the most serious natural disasters in the world, and it could pose an inestimable impact on the affected people. Based on existing laws, regulations, and emergency manuals in China, extensive literature review, epidemiological and related protection evidence, and expert consultation, this study analyzed different health risk factors of flood disaster and proposed a multi-stage, multi-population, and multi-phase comprehensive protection measures for the public in the perspective of pre-event prevention, in-event intervention and post-event rescue strategy, which could provide a scientific basis for improving the level of public health protection against the flood disaster and corresponding health outcomes.
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Objective To evaluate the impact of the flood disaster on schistosomiasis transmission along the Yangtze River basin in 2020, so as to provide insights into schistosomiasis prevention and control in flood-affected areas. Methods The data pertaining to the endemic situation of schistosomiasis were collected from 5 provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu from 2013 to 2019, including Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and livestock and snail distribution, and the warning water levels and actual water status were collected in water regions locating in these 5 provinces. The cumulative numbers of S. japonicum egg-positive individuals and bovines during the period from 2013 to 2019, the area of snail habitats in 2019 and the water level on July 12, 2020 were estimated at a county level and employed as parameters for classification of schistosomiasis transmission risk. Then, the cumulative value of each risk index was calculated to assess the risk of schistosomiasis transmission risk. Results After the flood disaster along the Yangtze River basin in 2020, there were 10, 5 and 9 counties (districts) at high risk of schistosomiasis transmission in 5 provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu based on number of egg-positive individuals, number of egg-positive bovines and snail distribution, respectively. Based on comprehensive risk indices, there were 10 (8 in Dongting Lake regions of Hunan Province and 2 in Poyang Lake regions of Jiangxi Province) and 15 counties (districts) (4 in Hubei Province, 7 in Hunan Province and 4 in Jiangxi Province) identified at grades 5 and 4 risk of schistosomiasis transmission. Conclusions Dongting Lake regions and Poyang Lake regions are the most severely flood-affected schistosomiasis-endemic foci of China in 2020, and the flood disaster may facilitate the transmission of schistosomiasis in affected areas. Therefore, schistosomiasis control requires to be intensified after the flood disaster to prevent the rebound of the disease.
ABSTRACT
Flood disaster is one of the most serious natural disasters in the world, and it could pose an inestimable impact on the affected people. Based on existing laws, regulations, and emergency manuals in China, extensive literature review, epidemiological and related protection evidence, and expert consultation, this study analyzed different health risk factors of flood disaster and proposed a multi-stage, multi-population, and multi-phase comprehensive protection measures for the public in the perspective of pre-event prevention, in-event intervention and post-event rescue strategy, which could provide a scientific basis for improving the level of public health protection against the flood disaster and corresponding health outcomes.
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@#Introduction: Flood disaster is a natural disaster that has unexpectedly occurred again. Community cooperation in terms of managing flood and focusing on families’ needs has become more systematic. It is important for a household to be prepared in any disaster. One of the preparations that should be done is the stockpiling of emergency supplies or flood supply kits during evacuation. This study aimed to develop a specific disaster kit for households for evacuation during a flood disaster based on cultural context. Methods: Data were collected from 75 key informants from every level of households that really have a great experience during the flood disaster that helping family packing for a living needs before evacuation. The development of the disaster kit based on cultural needs and all their views, needs, experiences, challenges, frustration and happiness was obtained from the interview sessions. Results: There are five themes that emerged from this research related to developing a disaster kit. The themes are community preparedness in dealing with flood disaster, hygiene issues during the flood, inadequate food supply, how the community responds to insufficient water supply, and coping method with illness. After being finalized, there are seven kits: a general supplies kit, documentation kit, emergency food and water supply kit, prayer kit, hygiene kit, basic first aid kit, and baby kit. Conclusion: The development disaster kit was created to help the communities to be more aware and prepared before disaster strikes.
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PROBLEM: The close quartering and exposed living conditions in evacuation centres and the potential increase in vector density after flooding in Solomon Islands resulted in an increased risk of exposure for the occupants to vectorborne diseases. CONTEXT: In April 2014, Solomon Islands experienced a flash flooding event that affected many areas and displaced a large number of people. In the capital, Honiara, nearly 10 000 people were housed in emergency evacuation centres at the peak of the post-flood emergency. At the time of the floods, the number of dengue cases was increasing, following a record outbreak in 2013. ACTION: The National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme with the assistance of the World Health Organization implemented an emergency vector-control response plan to provide protection to the at-risk populations in the evacuation centres. The National Surveillance Unit also activated an early warning disease surveillance system to monitor communicable diseases, including dengue and malaria. OUTCOME: Timely and strategic application of the emergency interventions probably prevented an increase in dengue and malaria cases in the affected areas. DISCUSSION: Rapid and appropriate precautionary vector-control measures applied in a post-natural disaster setting can prevent and mitigate vectorborne disease incidences. Collecting vector surveillance data allows better analysis of vector-control operations’ effectiveness.
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Objective To investigate the infection of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) in host animals and inapparent infection of HFRS in general population in Dongting Lake areas after floods. Methods The night trapping method was used to capture rodents. The immunofluorescence assays were used to detect the hantavirus (HV) antigens and antibodies in rodents lung and in the serum of general population. Nonconditional logistic regression was applied to analyze risk factors for inapparent infection with HV. Results In flood region,draw-near flood region and new migration region,rodent density was 6.95%,6.28%, and 8.67%, respectively, and the virus-carrying rate in rodents was 15.07%,9.25%, and 4.47%, respectively. The virus-carrying rat index was the highest in flood region (0.10). Apodemus agrarius was the dominant species. The standardized positive rate of HV antibody in general population from above mentioned regions was 4.49%, 3.11%, and 3.13%, respectively. There was no significant difference among different age or gender groups. The results of logistic regression analysis indicated that people who were involved in construction of water conservancy facilities in winter or practice of rat extermination at home were the principal factors related to inapparent infection with HV. Conclusion The virus-carrying rate in main host animals of HV in the 3 regions is high, whereas the positive rate of HV antibody is low in general population. Comprehensive measures should be taken to prevent and control HFRS, such as reinforcing surveillance of HFRS, strengthening deratization, and preventive inoculation.
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Objective To summarize the enperience of medical rescue and rdlief work in flood disaster at over seas. Method From August,26 to September14, 2010, China's international medical rescue team urgently ordered by the Chinese gevernment for the first time went to join the Pakistan flood disaster medical relief mission to carry out international humanitarianism rescue work. Aiming directly at infectious diseases prevention and treatment after flood disaster, organized medical rescue team from the hospital; consummated medical rescue plan; equipped with medical materials; established medical profession safety regulation. Results Through 18 days hard working,China's international medical rescue team received 11 243 persons, and treated 11020 patients. Conclusions China is one of the first countries to join the Pakistan flood disaster medical relief mission.
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Disaster is a sudden event that associated with ecological changes, disruption of normal daily activities, destruction of infrastructures, loss of properties, and medical disabilities. In disaster, there is a mismatch between available resources and patients need for healthcare service. During flood disaster, the victims were predisposed to different type of illnesses for various reasons such as inadequate supply of clean water, poor sanitation or drainage system, unhealthy foods, and over-crowded relief centers. Mobile clinic is an option for delivering medical care for the disaster victims who often have a difficulty to access to the medical facilities. In this article we would like to share our experiences during the provision of humanitarian services for flood victims at District of Muar Johor. Common illnesses among the flood victims at visited relief centers and advantages of Mobile Medical Relief Team were also highlighted and discussed.
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Objectives To know the affecting degree of snail status by the flood in schistosomiasis epdemic areas.Methods The eight embankments suffered from disasterous floods and collapsed were selected in Dongting Lake; the changes of snail states and snail-killed etc.Before and after disasterous floods were surveyed by retrospectively. Results In the eight embankments, the snail areas inside embankment increased at different degree except two embankments where snail was not found after disaster, it was 10.8 times of that before disaster; Furthermore, after disaster the snail was found in the embankment enclosing village areas inside where it was not found before disaster; in most of embankments collapsed, the mean density of living snail inside embankment and mean density of infected snail and positive rates of snail outside embankment descended at different degree after disaster. Conclusions Inside embankment, the disastrous floods could lead to snails speading in most of embankments collapsed. Otherwise, outside embankment the flood led to reduce the mean density of infected snail and positive rates of snail in most of embankments collapsed, and the degree of snails spreading was affected by the factors such as the snail states at the collapsed place, mean density of living snail,immersed area by water, mud and sand ect.