Living quarters of the victims from the 7.8-magnitude Turkey-Syria earthquake. AFP

One million earthquake victims at risk of disease

One million victims of the earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in living shelters are at risk for the spread of disease. There are rising worries about new health problems related to cold weather, hygiene and sanitation, and the spread of infectious diseases. According to Hans Kluge, regional director for Europe of the World Health Organization (WHO), about 80,000 people are being treated in hospitals. These add to the strain on a healthcare system that has already been severely wounded. He claimed that sanitation and water facilities had also been affected. Increased public health surveillance is being conducted, and people must be ready for infectious disease outbreaks. Reports of sick children in shelters have surfaced. According to the "Save the Children" charity, young people are more susceptible to waterborne diseases. WHO charter flights to Turkey and Syria have transported medical supplies that will allow medical professionals to treat nearly 400,000 people, and Turkey will distribute tetanus and rabies vaccines. Kluge also said that the 7.8-magnitude earthquake was the region's worst natural disaster in more than a century. As of writing (February 15), the death toll passes 40,000 in both countries. More than 35,418 people have been killed in Turkey, while more than 5,800 people are dead in Syria. KD/Expat Media
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