Altınbaş University Faculty of Medicine Infectious Diseases Specialist Prof. Dr. Kıvanç Şerefhanoğlu said that highly contagious infectious diseases can occur within 4 days to 4 weeks after the earthquake. Şerefhanoğlu pointed out that there was an increase in the frequency of some infectious diseases in the earthquake region and gave information about the measures that can be taken under current conditions.
Planning of collective living spaces is important in preventing epidemics.
prof. Dr. Şerefhanoğlu stated that first of all, it is essential to provide bottled water and to dispose of feces and garbage under appropriate conditions. Expressing that the biggest risk in the region is the lack of personal toilets, he demanded that the number of portable toilets be increased. He underlined that dry food and canned food should be used, meals should be prepared centrally, and each family should not be allowed to prepare meals separately.
Stating that care should be taken in the settlement planning of 4 to 5.5 square meters if possible, Şerefhanoğlu said, “A large number of shelters should be provided to prevent overcrowded settlements. It is very important to increase the number of tents, hotels, containers and guesthouses to be sheltered.” He mentioned the things to be considered in public living spaces.
Şerefhanoğlu also appealed to the citizens who will send aid to the region and recommended that personal protective and hygiene materials such as plenty of gloves, masks, disinfectant soap should be given priority. He also stated that it is necessary to fight against flies and rodents, which are effective in the spread of epidemic diseases.
He wanted to have fly-killing and repellent drugs available, to control rodents, and to make necessary pesticides in communal living areas. Noting that the health teams have a lot of work to do, Şerefhanoğlu said, "It is vital that the infections occurring in earthquake victims are followed up by the health teams and treated quickly."
“Constipation is increasing among earthquake victims”
Şerefhanoğlu drew attention to the increasing frequency of TB among earthquake victims. Poor living conditions, overcrowded settlement, extreme fatigue and stress, and difficulties in diagnosis indicated an increased risk of tuberculosis among earthquake victims. He stated that especially young children, the elderly and those with chronic diseases are at risk.
Stating that respiratory tract infections, colds, flu, sinusitis, pharyngitis and pneumonia are frequently seen after the earthquake, Şerefhanoğlu said, "The fact that people affected by the earthquake live in crowded conditions in poorly ventilated environments paves the way for these respiratory tract infections." said.
Water-food-borne diseases
Stating that water and food-borne infections occur due to the contamination of water and food with pathogens originating from human or animal feces, Şerefhanoğlu said:
“Diarrhea, dysentery, nausea, vomiting, hepatitis A and E are water-food-borne infections whose frequency increases after earthquakes. Hot air, inadequacies in access to clean water, inability to store food in suitable conditions (such as no refrigerator), and deterioration of the sewer infrastructure pave the way for these infections and may lead to epidemics. In these patients, diarrhea and dysentery are often caused by Shigella, Salmonella, Giardia, cholera and Rotavirus, and hepatitis by hepatitis A and E viruses.
Vector-borne infections
Noting that typhus, malaria and oriental boil are the most common vector-borne infections, Şerefhanoğlu said, “Vector-borne infections are infections transmitted by the bite of an arthropod such as a mosquito, fly, tick or mite. Deterioration of infrastructure and increases in rodent population such as mice are among the most important reasons. said.
Skin and wound infections
Stating that skin and wound infections occur in the areas of injury and trauma of the body during the earthquake, Şerefhanoğlu said:
“These infections are often caused by various bacteria. Wound infections can be serious and cause loss of organs and lives. Tetanus is a significant threat to people suffering from gas gangrene earthquake injuries. Scabies can also lead to epidemics due to the deterioration of hygiene conditions and crowded life and constitute an important health problem.
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