Pan American Health Organization - Organizaci?n Panamericana de la Salud - Situation Report on Haiti - February 4, 2010 (edited)

[Giuseppe]

Pan American Health Organization - Organizaci?n Panamericana de la Salud - Situation Report on Haiti - February 4, 2010 (edited)

Situation Report on Haiti - February 4, 2010

Emergency Operations Center Situation Report #19 - Haiti Earthquake


GENERAL OVERVIEW

• The number of patients at post-operative recovery centers in Fond Parisien (see map on page 3) is growing, following treatment aboard the U.S.N.S. Comfort and in local hospitals. An estimated 1,000 additional patients could arrive. The American Refugee Committee has also established a camp near the NGO ?Love a Child.? It is becoming imperative to plan for additional sanitary facilities.
• According to OCHA, shelter assistance remains an urgent priority. Four sites have been identified as official planned settlements for more than 5,000 people but more suitable sites are needed. An additional 56 assessed sites could, pending available resources and Government approval, host at least 65,000 people, according to IOM. Sanitation is becoming a major concern at many of the temporary sites.
• The United Nations Flash Appeal, launched several days after the earthquake, is now being revised to allow all partners in all clusters the opportunity to present humanitarian projects that reflect the current needs. The revised Appeal will be launched in two weeks.

PAHO/WHO RESPONSE

• Vaccination activities will occur in two phases, the first of which will be carried out in temporary settlements to vaccinate children between six weeks and seven years of age with DTP and MR vaccine, and to vaccinate children over eight, adolescents and adults with DT.. It is predicted that the first phase will be completed within 2 months.
• Regarding vaccine preventable diseases: 52 sentinel sites have been established and three mobile teams are conducting field investigations of suspected cases. Under an agreement between the national directors of epidemiology in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, efforts are underway to strengthen surveillance along the border.
• Indigenous measles recently had been eliminated from all countries in the Americas and intense efforts continue to keep the Region measles-free and to control imported cases. However, six suspected measles cases have been reported (three in Port-au-Prince and three in Jacmel). Of these, one case in Port-au-Prince was confirmed as varicella and the other two discarded. The three cases in Jacmel are being investigated. Twenty-seven cases of diphtheria have been notified since 8/2009 (with 16 deaths). The last case reported was in January 2010. One case of acute flaccid paralysis was reported and is under investigation for specimen collection. Numerous cases of tetanus are reported (one by University Hospital, four by MSF, more than nine by the Cuban brigade.)
• A PAHO/WHO advisor is supporting the design of a mental health work plan for the affected population and participating in the interagency cluster in mental health and psychosocial support.
• An evaluation has been completed of the equipment (surgery, gynecology and obstetrics, x-ray, physiotherapy and emergency services) at the following hospitals: General (HUEH), de la Paix and the Maternity Isaie Jeanty. Health authorities and PAHO/WHO now have a complete list of equipment required at each facility.
• The WHO Headquarters Communicable Disease Working Group on Emergencies has produced guidelines that offer recommendations for the treatment of tetanus during humanitarian emergencies: available here
• PAHO/WHO has developed medical guidelines for staff travelling to Haiti, including the need for malaria prophylaxis (all available anti-malarial drugs are effective); measles and rubella vaccination for those not previously vaccinated and a diphtheria-tetanus booster within the past five years.
• A PAHO/WHO specialist in water and sanitation visited Fond Parisien and the hospitals Buen Samaritano and General Melenciano to identify risk factors related to water quality, the collection and management of solid and hospital waste, and vector control.
• The earthquake left a severe gap in the country?s ability to provide health care and services for the massive number of injured persons. Temporary field hospitals met some of these needs. However, many injured survivors sought health services in the border region that Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic. In one such town, Jimani, 1,985 patients were treated between 19-31 January. The map below shows where these services are being provided. On the Haitian side of the border in Fond Parisien, post-op patients are recovering in non-health facilities that have been reorganized for this purpose.

Map of the Health Facilities near the Haiti/Dominican Republic Border
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<cite cite="http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2432&Ite mid=1926">Pan American Health Organization - Organizaci?n Panamericana de la Salud - Situation Report on Haiti - February 4, 2010</cite>