Immediately following a natural disaster, many individuals suffer from injuries caused by the incident. These may include blunt traumas, burn injuries and crush-related impairments. Infectious disease incidents are not necessarily associated with the disaster itself but with the after-effects of the catastrophic event. Poor conditions such as a lack of appropriate health care, poor sanitation and water conditions, and unplanned and crowded living conditions can all increase the incidence of infectious diseases. The most commonly occurring diseases are water-borne diseases which include Diarrheal diseases, Leptospirosis, and Hepatitis. However, air-borne and droplet diseases can also occur including Influenza, Pneumonia, Measles, Meningococcal Meningitis, and Tuberculosis. Vector-borne diseases, such as Malaria and Dengue fever, can also be present after a catastrophe. Furthermore, those injured and not receiving appropriate medical treatment may develop Tetanus or Cutaneous Mucomycosis. Many of these diseases can be prevented through hygiene education, provision of adequate and safe water supplies, and appropriate shelter after a disaster.
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