Post-Hurricane Diseases II

Despite their earlier optimism, the CDC reports five deaths from Vibrio vulnificus.

The patients, evidently evacuees, appear to have been infected with Vibrio vulnificus bacteria, a water-borne pathogen that is related to the bacteria that cause cholera and is common in water off the Gulf of Mexico.

Post-Hurricane Diseases

The CDC has an encouraging report on infectious disease after a hurricane:

Unless a disease is brought into a disaster area from elsewhere, any outbreaks that occur are almost always from diseases that were already in the disaster-affected area before the disaster struck.

Tsunami Tetanus

Tetanus has taken health care workers in Indonesia by surprise, according to this report from Banda Aceh.

Tsunami-borne Measles

I wasn't expecting measles to be the first flashy disease of the tsunami-set, but as usual, ProMED-mail has set me straight. Both Indonesia and India report cases.

Tsunami Disease Outbreaks

Via ProMED-mail: The WHO reported on Sunday that communicable diseases were being seen in tsunami refugee camps.

Tsunami News

Via ProMED-mail: Reuters reports on the potential for post-tsunami epidemics. The biggest concern is the spread of waterborne diseases.