More quake survivors infected with diseases in Indonesia

More survivors of last month's quake in Indonesia's Yogyakarta province have been infected with a variety of diseases, including respiratory problems, skin infections, diarrhea, and mental stress, a WHO official said here on Wednesday.

Vijay Nath Kyaw Win, the World Health Organization's Focal Person for Emergency Humanitarian Action in Indonesia, said that acute respiratory infections have tripled this week as 7,000 people sought treatment at local health services.

People living in temporary shelters needed improved sanitation and ready access to local health services, he said.

Women and children and the elderly were among the vulnerable groups who remained at risk from disease outbreaks, particularly where the health services were destroyed, said Win.

"Ongoing surveillance and monitoring confirm that respiratory complaints, skin infections and cases of diarrhea are increasing," said Vijay.

He said that the situation in the quake-affected area was still difficult for the survivors.

"Crowded conditions, damaged hygiene facilities and poor garbage disposal pose significant threats to the public health of vulnerable groups," he said.

To ensure people's immediate health needs, WHO, in consultation with local authorities, was working on strengthening water quality control measures, waste management and ensuring all injured had proper care and rehabilitation, he said.

Meanwhile, WHO's mental health consultant Albert Maramis said that 32 percent of the surveyed population reported feelings of depression or being unable to sleep or eat.

He cautioned that most people in the affected area would need psychosocial support and some may need specialized mental health care.

"The stress of living in temporary shelters for four weeks in the aftermath of the earthquake is beginning to take its toll," he said.

Nearly 6,000 people were killed in the May 27 quake in Yogyakarta province, which also left over 150,000 suffering serious spinal and head injuries, broken bones, deep cuts and mental stress and some 1.5 million homeless.

Source: Xinhua