Infection control after and during natural disaster.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Disaster Medicine
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Background:

• Natural disasters in Japan, such as the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, have led to significant loss of life and infectious disease outbreaks in evacuation centers.
• Infectious diseases like influenza and norovirus pose serious risks to populations in disaster-affected areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical role of infection control activities in mitigating disease spread during and after natural disasters.
• To advocate for the establishment of a dedicated infection control team for disaster-affected regions in Japan.

Main Methods:

• Review of infection control activities and outcomes from the Great East Japan Earthquake and Kumamoto Earthquake.
• Analysis of the contributions of medical facility infection control teams in supporting evacuees.
• Comparison with existing disaster response teams (e.g., Disaster Medical Assistance Team, Japan Medical Association Team).

Main Results:

• Infection control teams effectively controlled epidemic infectious diseases, educated the public, and improved environmental conditions in disaster zones.
• Evidence confirms that infection control activities significantly reduce infections during and after disasters.
• Currently, no organization is specialized in infection control for disaster-affected areas, unlike other medical teams.

Conclusions:

• Infection control interventions are proven effective in reducing disease transmission in disaster settings.
• There is a clear need for a specialized disaster infection control team, potentially led by government or infectious disease societies.
• Establishing such a team is crucial for enhancing Japan's preparedness and response to infectious disease threats during natural disasters.