ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2016 | Volume
: 4
| Issue : 1 | Page : 15-24 |
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Postdisaster epidemiological assessment of Koshi flood 2008, in Nepal
Kumud Raj Kafle1, Ranjan Kumar Dahal2, Sanjay Nath Khanal1
1 Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre, Nepal 2 Central Department of Geology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal
Correspondence Address:
Kumud Raj Kafle Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, Kavre Nepal
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2347-9019.175674
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Introduction: Nepal is vulnerable to geological and hydrological natural disasters with vast epidemiological consequences. Objective: This research is focused on the epidemiology of the aftermath of a major flood in Koshi in the eastern part of Nepal in August 2008. Although, direct flood induced mortality was only two, 39 more mortalities were reported within the four months of the disaster event, mostly amongst those living in the rehabilitation camps. Methods and Materials: Data were collected through questionnaire survey and the secondary data from District Public Health Office (DPHO), Sunsari and well as local health centers. Results: The waterborne infectious diseases and mental disorders were found as the major prominent diseases during the post flood period. The infectious diseases increased by 30% in the first year after the disaster whereas the number of mental disorder patients increased immediately and also within one to three years of period from 29.2% to 62.5% during the post disaster phase. Conclusion: The study has found that the effectiveness of epidemiological interventions would be efficient if it continues up to two years after the flood. |
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