Health Professionals

Clinical Updates

21 January 2010

Earthquake in Haiti - update

On 20 January 2010 at 06.03am local time (11.03am GMT) an aftershock measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale occurred 30 miles south west of Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti [1]. Reports suggest that some damage to buildings occurred; there are no reports of further deaths [2].

Following the earthquake on 12 January 2010 [3], 200,000 people are thought to have died and many others have been seriously injured [4].An international emergency response is now underway. The Haitian Government has declared a state of emergency and national mourning for one month until 17 February 2010 [2].


At least eight hospitals in and around Port-au-Prince, Leogane and Jacmel have been destroyed or damaged. Temporary field hospitals have been set up. Patients are also being treated at health centres in the Dominican Republic or being evacuated to other Caribbean countries [4].

The water system in Port-au-Prince is partially functional and additional supplies are being distributed [4].

Advice for travellers

Public services, health care, communications and electricity are severely disrupted in affected areas of Haiti.

There is a lack of safe drinking water resulting in an increased risk from food and waterborne illnesses.

Overcrowding and displacement of the local population may increase the risk of communicable diseases.

Travellers should consult the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) for information on the safety and security of travel to the affected areas, as well as their tour operator and airline.

As of the 21 January 2010, the FCO are advising against all travel to the Cite Soleil district of Port-au-Prince and all but essential travel to the rest of Haiti.

There are no reports of damage to the infrastructure in Cuba and Dominican Republic, however travellers should contact their tour operators prior to departure.

Country-specific health advice for travellers to Haiti can be found on the NaTHNaC Country Information Pages. General advice can also be found in the NaTHNaC Advice for relief workers and other travellers to areas affected by natural disasters.

References

1. US Geological Survey. Earthquake hazards program. Magnitude 5.9 Haiti region. 20 January 2010. [Accessed 21 January 2010]. Available at http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes

/us2010rsbb.php

2. ReliefWeb. Emergency Operations Center situation report #8. – Haiti earthquake. 20 January 2010. [Accessed 21 January 2010]. http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900sid/MUMA-7ZW2J9?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=EQ-2010-000009-HTI

3. NaTHNaC Clinical Update. Earthquake in Haiti. Updated 15 January 2010. [Accessed 21 January 2010]. Available at http://www.nathnac.org/pro/clinical_updates/haitiearthquake

_140110.htm

4. Pan American Health Organization. Emergency Operations Center situation report #7. 19 January 2010. [Accessed 21 January 2010]. Available at http://new.paho.org/disasters/index.php?option=com_docman

&task=doc_download&gid=670&Itemid

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