WHO Warns of Disease Outbreak Risk in Venezuela After Earthquakes, Cites Low Vaccination Rates

Venezuela faces a heightened risk of disease outbreaks, including vaccine-preventable illnesses, in the wake of recent earthquakes, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This warning stems from already low immunization rates across the country, which leave the population more vulnerable.

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The vaccination coverage in Venezuela, especially against measles and other diseases, was already low. Therefore, the risk of cases occurring is high at these moments.

The situation is especially critical in temporary shelters where displaced individuals are housed. Ciro Ugarte, director for emergencies at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), noted that these crowded conditions significantly increase the risk of disease transmission. Compounding the problem are concerns about the quality and availability of safe drinking water in affected areas, which is essential for preventing the spread of infections.

PAHO is actively assessing the damage to healthcare facilities and providing necessary support. Eight medical facilities have been evaluated, with three suffering structural damage. Ugarte highlighted the dire situation at the Hospital José María Vargas in Caracas, one of the city's main public hospitals, which is critically under-resourced. The hospital is reportedly housing 96 patients in a ward designed for eight beds, and its blood bank is at dangerously low levels.

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Unfortunately, the supply is scarce, which makes it difficult to assess the situation in all shelters. Therefore, it is a priority to evaluate the quality of the water supplied to the population, especially in large shelters.

Further exacerbating the healthcare crisis, other facilities like the Hospital Rafael Medina Jiménez in La Guaira have drastically reduced their bed capacity. Reports indicate that 22 other health centers are facing severe shortages. PAHO is recommending selective vaccinations against mosquito-borne diseases and other vector-borne illnesses, particularly for those in shelters and affected zones, to mitigate the immediate health threats.

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there are 96 patients in a room with eight beds and its blood bank is at extremely low levels.