Health Issues Related to Earthquakes

AmeriCares Medical Director, Dr. Frank Bia, an expert in infectious diseases and international health, cites important medical supplies needed during and after an earthquake:

Injury-causing factors:

• Building collapse (most injuries and deaths result from this)
• Other blunt trauma
• Fires and ruptured gas lines
• Aftershocks with repeated traumatic events

Common injuries experienced during and after earthquakes:

• Cuts, scrapes & lacerations (torn or ragged wounds)
• Bone fractures
• Contusions (bruises that do not break the skin)
• Crush syndrome (muscle injury and resulting kidney failure)
• Infected wounds
• Pulmonary complaints related to inhalation of dust
• Burns
• Common health issues exacerbated by the event: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (e.g. asthma, bronchitis, emphysema), heart attacks
• Mental health issues

Important medical supplies needed during and after earthquakes:

• Anesthetics (facilitate performance of major procedures—surgeries, amputations)
• IV solutions, particularly for prevention of kidney failure after trauma
• Other medicines and surgical supplies for the injuries mentioned above