Minister Koja: No outbreaks of infectious diseases were found in the area of ​​the earthquake

SAFAKNA TURKEY – Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said they are regularly monitoring data and analyzes of infectious diseases in the provinces where the strong Kahramanmarash earthquake hit and said, “To date, no outbreaks of infectious diseases have been detected.” said.

At a press conference he held in Khatai, Koca said that from the first day of the disaster, they had been trying to ensure that services in Khatai were not interrupted.

Pointing out that it would take time to repair the devastation caused by the great calamity and heal the wounds left, Koja stated that all his efforts were aimed at healing the wounds as soon as possible and satisfying all the material and moral needs of those who survived the calamity.

Emphasizing that the Ministry of Health has an important responsibility and that they are doing the most painstaking work with the awareness of this responsibility, Koca said: “The most important task that fell on us at the first moment of the natural disaster was to activate our health. institutions and get to our wounded and provide medical services as soon as possible. Fortunately, our healthcare system was able to provide emergency assistance to each victim. Tens of thousands of our medical workers have tried to heal the wounds of our nation by doing their duty properly.” He said.

“We continue the practice of providing primary health care in public places”

Stating that they have taken and continue to take measures to prevent a public health crisis from the third day of the disaster, Koca said that the General Directorate of Public Health continues to work towards the full provision of primary health care services.

Regarding medicines and humanitarian aid delivered to the villages, Koca said, “Doctors, medicines and humanitarian aid are delivered to our villages by ambulances and UMKE vehicles.” gave information.

Explaining that the villages are conducting medical check-ups, outreach to patients in need of home care, follow-up of chronic patients and distribution of their medicines, Koca said, “We are continuing our practice of family medicine in primary health care. established or maintained public living quarters. We are trying to provide medical care in the region at least today, even better than yesterday.” made a statement.

Pointing out that one of the biggest known risks after such disasters is the danger of infectious diseases turning into epidemics due to the deterioration of environmental conditions in terms of hygiene, Koca stated that in this context, disinfection of public places and spraying against rodents and pests should continue without interruption. .

MAINS WATER MUST BE USED FOR CLEANING UNTIL THE MAINS WATER IS DRINKABLE

Koca stressed that the most important issue that could cause epidemics is the safety of drinking water. Saying that they regularly analyze the water and measure the amount of residual chlorine, Koca noted that superchlorination is being done in the missing places.

Providing information on what has been done in this area so far, Koja continued his words as follows:

“In the early days of the earthquake, we started using our mobile water lab in the region to test water hygiene with our mobile labs that can diagnose infectious diseases. In cities located in a seismically hazardous zone, tap water is chlorinated, residual chlorine is measured and microbiological studies are carried out. Residual chlorine measurement was taken at 8379 points in the earthquake zone between February 6 and 17, and a residual chlorine ratio of 81.54 percent is considered acceptable.

With the exception of Antakya and Defne districts in our province of Hatay, it is possible to supply piped water in seismically prone provinces. In the districts of Antakya and Defne in Hatay, piped water is supplied in a controlled manner, for places that cannot be provided, water is delivered by cisterns and chlorinated in cisterns. Superchlorination has been carried out in all provinces except Hatay and chlorination is ongoing. Municipalities in Diyarbakır, Gaziantep, Adana, Urfa, Kilis and Osmaniye also carry out systemic chlorination, and teams on site also chlorinate with chlorine tablets where they do not see fit. However, due to damage to the network and negativity at the source, the water quality may be unusable. Packaged water should be preferred for drinking and brushing teeth, and tap water should be used for cleaning until the governor or county governor declares: “Tap water is potable.”

“NO INFECTIOUS DISEASE ON THE STREET WAS DETECTED TODAY”

Minister Koca stated that although there is tap water in Malatya, due to problems with the source, superchlorination is not effective, and it can be seen that the turbidity of the water has decreased.

Emphasizing that 77 percent of the 2,632 water samples analyzed by public health laboratories between February 6 and 17 were found to be “microbiologically acceptable,” Koca said: “In our tent cities, drinking water is distributed to our earthquake victims in packages, drinking tanker water is chlorinated. We have 9 mobile epidemiologists working in the region. We regularly monitor data and analyzes on infectious diseases in the provinces of the region. In this regard, outbreaks of infectious diseases have not been identified to date.” used the phrase.

Minister Koja shared the following information about diseases that are observed and cannot be speculated on:

“It was observed that rashes were stable in 11 provinces affected by the earthquake. We have a case of chickenpox in Kahramanmaras and the patient has been placed in isolation. Contact support.

Despite the increase in the number of cases of acute intestinal infections, no epidemic has been identified. We have a small number of patients who have been hospitalized with rotavirus infection in Gaziantep and Osmaniye, as well as rotavirus and adenovirus infection in Adiyaman. There is no epidemic situation for acute intestinal infections. Although the number of influenza-like illnesses is increasing, no situation has been identified that can cause an epidemic. The reported jaundices were neonatal jaundice and infectious jaundice was not found.

Brochures on personal hygiene, water disinfection, lice and scabies have been prepared to prevent contagious diseases that can be observed after natural disasters. Medicines have been sent to the region to treat these diseases.”

Koca said that routine monitoring of newborns, mother and child, postpartum and chronically ill patients, as well as vaccination of children, are being carried out in full.

Declaring that it is the nation that creates the state, Koca said: “The heart of the state, the wound of the nation beats there. Here is the nation and the state. Together we will heal the wounds of the morning of the catastrophe from which we woke up. No citizen is alone. We will be here with all our means until every survivor of the earthquake has recovered and returned to normal life. gave his assessment.