The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised concern over the possible multiple disease outbreak in Myanmar following the devastating earthquake which occurred in the Mandalay and Sagaing regions.
The health organisation on Thursday, in a document shared with journalists, warned against the risk surge, highlighting that the incident has significantly increased trauma cases, poses mental health challenges, and has effects related to cholera and waterborne diseases.
Also, it was noted that vaccine-preventable diseases (VPD) such as measles, polio, and diphtheria and vector-borne diseases may occur due to limited access to health facilities in both rural and urban areas.
About 19.9 million people in Myanmar prior to the earthquake were said to be needing humanitarian assistance, including 12.9 million who were in need of health services.
On 28 March, Myanmar’s Sagaing Region and Mandalay experienced earthquakes in two different intervals, with a magnitude of 7.7 occurring at 12:50, followed by a second of magnitude 6.4 at 13:02 (local time).
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According to reports, the number of casualties and damage are yet to be verified, but a report from the State Administration Council (SAC) on 2 April noted that about 3003 people lost their lives, leaving 4515 injured.
“Preliminary assessments indicate high numbers of casualties and trauma-related injuries, with urgent need for emergency care,” WHO revealed.
While highlighting mental health challenges and heat strokes as major concerns, it noted, “Earthquake-related displacement, limited access to safe water and food, overcrowded displaced populations, low vaccination coverage, poor sanitation, inadequate disease prevention measures and potential movement of rodents into urban areas increase the likelihood of disease outbreaks.”
Meanwhile, the most affected areas are Mandalay, Sagaing and Nay Pyi Taw, followed by Bago, Magway, and Shan South and East.
Affecting major infrastructure, including health facilities, road networks, and bridges, it said that electricity and water supplies remain disrupted.
“The epicentre of the earthquake is close to Sagaing Township in Sagaing Region. This region is home to approximately one third of the country’s internally displaced population, many of whom were already enduring critical shortages in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) needs and lacked adequate shelter from before the earthquake struck,” the health organisation noted.
