A review of the prevalence of post-earthquake infectious diseases in Iran with emphasis on the role of the health system

Iran is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of infectious and contagious diseases and to manage and control them after the crisis.

This was a review study. To do this, researchers used keywords: the crisis, the disaster, infectious diseases, contagious disease, the earthquake, Iran, and the health system to search the data of national and international databases from 2000 to 2018.

The potential for contagious diseases following natural disasters is very high due to disorder and chaos. Natural disasters can cause new pathogens or increase the pathogenicity of existing factors. In the earthquake crisis, an average number of infectious diseases transmitted from person to person and from water as well as food have been reported. In the event of natural disasters, infectious diseases will spread rapidly if adequate measures are not taken for environmental health, protection of water and food resources, provision of primary health services, and monitoring the health conditions of the affected population.

It is necessary to pay more attention to preventive measures against infection, treatment of infected patients and isolation of patients in critical situations and accuracy in prescribing antibiotics. Therefore, the health system should develop programs to prepare employees, to provide tools and equipment, as well as to plan an immediate response. So, it is essential that the health system develop programs to prepare staff and provide equipment and supplies and an immediate response plan.