In the aftermath of every great natural disaster, infections make things worse – often, much worse. There are waves of infections, beginning with those that complicate wounds and bodily injuries. These germs are usually bacterial: staph, strep, and anaerobic organisms like tetanus and gangrene. The next wave of infections occurs as a result of the lack of clean water and the accumulation of dying victims. The germs in this second wave are typically gastrointestinal, and include both bacteria and viruses: cholera, enteric viruses, dysenteric bacteria. Finally, crowding and unsanitary conditions facilitate respiratory spread of infections, again both bacteria and viruses, resulting in pneumonia.
The key to interrupting the waves of infections is the rapid provision of clean drinking water and bathing water, as well as the removal of decaying material. Antibiotics must be delivered efficiently. Unfortunately, the chaos and disruption following a natural disaster impede all such efforts, and the underlying poverty and destitution in Haiti prior to the earthquake have made recovery operations even more challenging.
Our prayers are with the people of Haiti.