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Emergency Risk Management for Health Fact Sheets Global Platform - May 2013
Risks of outbreaks arising from natural hazard ‘New’ pathogens with potential to cause pandemic con-
events and disasters are frequently over-esti- tinue to emerge. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome
mated.1,2 (SARS) caused fewer than 10,000 cases with 774 deaths
but had a major impact upon national economies espe-
Outbreak potential is related primarily to popula- cially upon trade and tourism.6
tion displacement and the consequent living
conditions. The 194 Member States of WHO have agreed the Inter-
national Health Regulations (2005)7 with the purpose of
Outbreaks are less frequent in disaster-affected preventing and controlling the international spread of ad-
populations than those affected by conflict.3 verse public health events, including epidemics. One of
The main communicable disease causes of mor- the key obligations of States Parties to the IHR is to de-
bidity and mortality in disasters are: velop and maintain national core capacities for the
detection, investigation, response and reporting of public
o diarrhoeal diseases, including cholera health events within their territories.
o acute respiratory infections
o measles What are the health risks?
o vector-borne diseases In disaster situations, increased mortality and morbidity
High vaccine coverage reduces the incidence of from communicable diseases is associated with:
vaccine preventable diseases (e.g. measles) population displacement
Provision of safe drinking water is the most im- collapsing health services
portant preventive measure.
lack of disease control programmes
Rapid detection of cases of epidemic-prone dis-
eases through surveillance systems is essential poor access to health care in urban and rural areas
to ensure rapid control. malnutrition
Management of disease vectors in endemic ar- interrupted supplies and logistics
eas is required to reduce vector borne diseases.
poor coordination among agencies
The risk of communicable diseases is associated primar-
Why is this important? ily with the size and characteristics of the affected
There are two major areas of focus: 1) where the population, 8 including the following factors:
risks of outbreaks are associated with other events, amount and availability of safe water
such as emergencies due to natural hazards and
conflicts; and 2) where the emergency is caused by functioning latrines
an infectious disease. nutritional status of the displaced population
The past two decades have seen at least 1 billion levels of immunity and vaccination coverage
people affected by natural disasters with millions suf-
fering infection with communicable diseases.4 level of access to health care services
Copyright. All rights reserved. 2012.
Further information, contact: WHO - Jonathan Abrahams (e-mail: abrahamsj@who.int)
Developed by the World Health Organization, Public Health England and partners
Developed by the World Health Organization, United Kingdom Health Protection Agency and partners