The US Center for Disease Control has issued a short update on the public health issues and priorities for Haiti following the earthquake.
http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/healthconcerns_haiti.asp
Following the earthquake, most pressing public health concerns in Port-au-Prince and surrounding affected areas will include:
• Adequate quantity and quality of water
• Food security
• Appropriate shelter and protection from the elements
• Prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and vector-borne illnesses
• Provision of health services to prevent maternal and infant deaths
• Prevention of violence and further unintentional injury
• Treatment of kidney failure due to crush injuries
• Prevention of deaths from infected wounds
• Prevention and treatment of inflamed lung tissue caused by concrete dust
The CDC also note that dead bodies rarely spread disease and that epidemics are rarely caused by earthquake.
For more information check out the link above.
