Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, sa.23, ss.920-930, 2024 (TRDizin)
The potential infectious diseases that may arise after a disaster are significant threats to public health.
Natural disasters increase the risk of exposure to pathogens. The earthquake disaster centered around
Kahramanmaraş, affecting many provinces including Hatay, Gaziantep, Adana, Osmaniye, Diyarbakır,
Malatya, and Şanlıurfa, has impacted thousands of individuals in our country. Some earthquake survivors have been forced to settle in tents or prefabricated structures, relying on communal facilities for toilets,
personal hygiene, and food needs. These survivors are now facing a different yet equally critical risk. There
is a high risk of contamination of water and sewage systems rendered dysfunctional by the earthquake. Due
to inadequate access to food, clean water, and hygiene, the number of infectious diseases, particularly
gastroenteritis infections, can be substantial. Cases of diarrhea can range from self-limiting short-term
infections to dysentery, which can lead to severe dehydration. Even in cases of mild diarrhea, insufficient
hygiene can lead to transmission to otherwise healthy individuals, potentially resulting in outbreaks in the
region. The primary pathogens involved in gastroenteritis infections include Escherichia coli, Vibrio
cholerae, Shigella species, Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E, and
Rotaviruses. Inevitably, gastroenteritis infections occur when the needs for water, food, shelter, and hygiene
are not adequately met in the aftermath of a disaster. Particularly in crowded living spaces such as tent cities,
earthquake survivors are always at risk when using communal facilities for toilets, personal hygiene, and
food. Looking at the diarrheal outbreaks following natural disasters up to the present day, the primary cause
is primarily attributed to unplanned and inadequate disaster management. It is crucial for healthcare and
food workers operating in disaster areas to exercise diligence in this regard, alongside raising awareness
among the public.
Keywords: Earthquake, infection, gastroenteritis, diarrhea