Impact of Cyclone Nargis on Communicable Diseases in Myanmar
Author Information
Author(s): Myint Nyan Win, Kaewkungwal Jaranit, Singhasivanon Pratap, Chaisiri Kamron, Panjapiyakul Pornpet, Siriwan Pichit, Mallik Arun K, Nyein Soe Lwin, Mu Thet Thet
Primary Institution: Medical Care Division, Department of Health, Ministry of Health, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
Hypothesis
This study aims to assess the situation of communicable diseases under national surveillance in the Cyclone Nargis-affected areas in Myanmar before and after the incident.
Conclusion
While the incidence of diarrhea, dysentery and ARI increased post-Nargis in areas affected by the incident, the incidence rate for other diseases and mortality rates did not increase, and normal disease patterns resumed by 2009.
Supporting Evidence
- Diarrheal disease and dysentery cases increased significantly in 2008 following Cyclone Nargis.
- Mortality rates for diarrhea declined from 0.68 per 100,000 in 2007 to 0.06 in 2008.
- Vaccination coverage rates for DPT and measles remained high, but measles coverage did not reach the target of 95%.
Takeaway
After Cyclone Nargis, more people got sick with diarrhea and colds, but overall, the health services helped keep other diseases from getting worse.
Methodology
Monthly data from the Myanmar Ministry of Health's disease surveillance system were reviewed and compared with data from UN agencies and NGOs.
Potential Biases
Information bias may be present due to reliance on self-reported data from hospital officials and focus group participants.
Limitations
Validity and reliability of secondary data may be limited, and population movement may have resulted in unreliable denominators for epidemiological measurements.
Participant Demographics
The study focused on 10 townships in Yangon and Ayeyarwaddy division, with a population of about 2.8 million in 2007.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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