Background
Location(s)
- Brazil
- Mozambique
Indication(s)
- Chikungunya
- Dengue
- Malaria
- Zika
Situation overview
Natural and environmental disasters cause significant changes in the environment such as flooding, contamination of water supplies, and displacement of human populations that can affect the ecosystem in unpredictable ways. The environmental impact of these disasters can potentially increase risk factors for mosquito-borne disease transmission that can result in serious public health problems long after the initial impact of the disaster.
Challenge
Understanding the potential impact of a natural or environmental disaster on future disease transmission and public health
How we helped
We investigated the infectious disease impact of two disasters of major significance in 2019:
- Dam break in Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Cyclones in Mozambique
We assessed pre- and post-disaster surveillance data from each region and compared those data with data from the same time period and/or transmission season in previous years for multiple mosquito-borne diseases:
- Chikungunya
- Dengue
- Malaria
- Zika
Outcomes
Our analysis highlighted limitations and lessons learned in disease surveillance in the aftermath of a disaster that could be addressed in the future.
Some of the findings from Brazil included:
- The disaster resulted in 256 deaths and 14 people still missing.
- Toxic mud contaminated the Paraopeba River, resulting in significant fish and wildlife deaths in the river and surrounding areas.
