Pan American Health Organization - Organizaci?n Panamericana de la Salud - Situation Report on Haiti - January 22, 2010 (edited)

Giuseppe · Jan 23, 2010

Pan American Health Organization - Organizaci?n Panamericana de la Salud - Situation Report on Haiti - January 22, 2010 (edited)

Situation Report on Haiti - January 22, 2010

Emergency Operations Center Situation Report #10 - Haiti Earthquake

HEALTH OVERVIEW

Despite harsh conditions in Haiti, currently there are no reported outbreaks of communicable diseases including cholera, measles and rubella. Polio has been eliminated in Haiti. In the short-term, the Early Warning System must be implemented in selected sites with rapid response capacity, including field laboratories. Subsequently, the restoration of surveillance is a priority area.
At present, Haiti?s immunization program is not functioning and tetanus is the disease of most immediate concern.
However, mass vaccination activities are not recommended at this time. They may be considered once vaccination becomes logistically feasible and the situation stabilizes. Priority groups (aged <5 years) will likely be targeted first. This unfortunate situation presents an opportunity to reconstruct and strengthen the routine immunization program in Haiti.
All aid workers going to Haiti should be vaccinated against both measles and rubella.
More than seven institutions in Port-au-Prince are providing obstetric services, include the University Hospital, Khanty Hospital, Hospital de la Paix, among others.
Approximately 130,000 people are living with HIV in Haiti. Of this number, about 50% are on antiretroviral treatment. There is concern that many HIV-infected patients have migrated to rural areas, thus possibly disrupting ongoing access to treatment. Additionally, the National HIV/AIDS hospital (Gheskio) is now focusing mainly on trauma care.

PAHO/WHO RESPONSE

PAHO/WHO has collaborated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to procure needed mobile X-Ray units and necessary accessories and power sources to support Haiti?s recovery.
A team of epidemiologists is in Haiti, beginning to setup an Early Warning System to monitor communicable diseases.
In the area of sanitation, PAHO/WHO is working with Haitian authorities to collect and safely dispose of hospital waste and waste from public latrines.
The main cold room in PROMESS is functioning and has adequate stock of most vaccines (including tetanus and diphtheria) and syringes. A cold chain assessment is underway to determine the availability of cold rooms, working refrigerators, propane for the functioning of gas refrigerators, and diesel for transportation. Immunization program activities outside of Port-au- Prince should be reinstated once the assessment has been finalized and safe access to cold rooms is ensured.

HEALTH CLUSTER COORDINATION

Read the daily Health Cluster Bulletin: (LINK)

On 15 January, the United Nations launched a Flash Appeal. Read the full document.

WHO technical note: Current recommendations for treatment of tetanus during humanitarian emergencies

For further information on the situation in Haiti, please go to (LINK) and http://twitter.com/pahoeoc
-