Publication: Are there any changes in burden and management of communicable diseases in areas affected by Cyclone Nargis?
Accepted Date
2011-06-28
Issued Date
2011-06-28
Copyright Date
2011
Resource Type
Language
eng
ISSN
1752-1505 (Electronic)
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Mahidol University
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BioMed Central
Bibliographic Citation
Myint NW, Kaewkungwal J, Singhasivanon P, Chaisiri K, Panjapiyakul P, Siriwan P, et al. Are there any changes in burden and management of communicable diseases in areas affected by Cyclone Nargis? Confl Health. 2011 Jun 28;5(1):9.
Suggested Citation
Myint, Nyan Win, Jaranit Kaewkungwal, จรณิต แก้วกังวาล, Pratap Singhasivanon, ประตาป สิงหศิวานนท์, Kamron Chaisiri, Pornpet Panjapiyakul, Pichit Siriwan, Mallik, Arun K., Nyein, Soe Lwin, Mu, Thet Thet Are there any changes in burden and management of communicable diseases in areas affected by Cyclone Nargis?. Myint NW, Kaewkungwal J, Singhasivanon P, Chaisiri K, Panjapiyakul P, Siriwan P, et al. Are there any changes in burden and management of communicable diseases in areas affected by Cyclone Nargis? Confl Health. 2011 Jun 28;5(1):9.. Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/646
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Title
Are there any changes in burden and management of communicable diseases in areas affected by Cyclone Nargis?
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the situation of communicable diseases
under national surveillance in the Cyclone Nargis-affected areas in Myanmar
(Burma) before and after the incident.
METHODS: Monthly data during 2007, 2008 and 2009 from the routine reporting
system for disease surveillance of the Myanmar Ministry of Health (MMOH) were
reviewed and compared with weekly reporting from the Early Warning and Rapid
Response (EWAR) system. Data from some UN agencies, NGOs and Tri-Partite Core
Group (TCG) periodic reviews were also extracted for comparisons with indicators
from Sphere and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee.
RESULTS: Compared to 2007 and 2009, large and atypical increases in diarrheal
disease and especially dysentery cases occurred in 2008 following Cyclone Nargis.
A seasonal increase in ARI reached levels higher than usual in the months of 2008
post-Nargis. The number of malaria cases post-Nargis also increased, but it was
less clear if this reflected normal seasonal patterns or was specifically
associated with the disaster event. There was no significant change in the
occurrence of other communicable diseases in Nargis-affected areas. Except for a
small decrease in mortality for diarrheal diseases and ARI in 2008 in
Nargis-affected areas, population-based mortality rates for all other
communicable diseases showed no significant change in 2008 in these areas,
compared to 2007 and 2009. Tuberculosis control programs reached their targets of
70% case detection and 85% treatment success rates in 2007 and 2008. Vaccination
coverage rates for DPT 3rd dose and measles remained at high though measles
coverage still did not reach the Sphere target of 95% even by 2009. Sanitary
latrine coverage in the Nargis-affected area dropped sharply to 50% in the months
of 2008 following the incident but then rose to 72% in 2009.
CONCLUSION: While the incidence of diarrhea, dysentery and ARI increased
post-Nargis in areas affected by the incident, the incidence rate for other
diseases and mortality rates did not increase, and normal disease patterns
resumed by 2009. This suggests that health services as well as prevention and
control measures provided to the Nargis-affected population mitigated what could
have been a far more severe health impact.