Preliminary assessment on risk of priority communicable disease in earthquake hit area in Ludian, Yunnan province

Objective To analyze the risk factors to the incidence and spread of communicable diseases and find out the epidemic-prone diseases after the earthquake in Ludian county, Yunnan province, and provide guidance for taking more effective prevention and control measures of communicable diseases in quake hit area. Methods The data of communicable diseases reported from January 1, 2004 to July 31, 2014 in quake hit area were analyzed. Based on the literature review and consultation of experts, the risk factors which might increase communicable disease transmission and the list of main epidemic-prone diseases were described. Results The major diseases reported in Ludian country and Qiaojia country since2004 were pulmonary tuberculosis, hepatitis B and bacillary dysentery. The factors which might increase communicable disease transmission included lacked safe drinking water and safe food, settlement with poor sanitary condition, increased exposure to host animals and vectors, limited access to health services and increased population movement. The result of the risk assessment shows that the risk of six communicable diseases which include bacillary dysentery and other infectious diarrheas was high, the risk of ten communicable diseases which include measles was medium, the risk of plague and cholera was low. Conclusion The post disaster measures to prevent and control communicable diseases in Ludian should focus on water and food safety, the management of settlement points and environment sanitation, health education, strengthening the prevention and control of communicable diseases, resuming basic public health service and developing risk assessment at different times.