Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112476

Joanne Cossitt, MA¹, Ramin Ahmadi, MD MPH¹, and Dilrukshe Ranasinghe, MD². (1) Griffin Center for Health and Human Rights, 67 Maple Ave, Derby, CT 06418, (203) 732-1330, joanne.cossitt@yale.edu, (2) Combine Internal Medicine/Preventive Medicine Residency Program, Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St, Derby, CT 06418

On December 26, 2004 a massive tsunami struck the Eastern and Southern coasts of Sri Lanka, decimating the country's physical infrastructure and taking the lives of over 31,000 people. Five days later, a team of seven investigators from the New Haven, CT area traveled to the Batticaloa and Matara districts of Sri Lanka to provide direct clinical care to people in the affected areas. The team collected information on the demographics, chief complaints, and main diagnoses of 740 patients seen at eight different camps for displaced persons. Inspections of the camps were also performed. Data was recorded on the size of camps, water and sanitation facilities, housing status, and whether other basic needs were being met.

Patients ranged from 18 months to 86 years of age. Chief diagnoses included upper respiratory infections, lower respiratory tract infections, muscle aches and sprains, otitis media, superficial and deep wounds, anxiety and depression. Several cases of watery and bloody diarrhea were reported and cultured. Camps ranged in size from 70 – 798 persons, although most were an average of 250 persons. The relatively small size of the camps provided protection against widespread disease outbreaks. Of major concern was the large number of people reporting “giddiness”, which was interpreted as anxiety, and depression. This suggested a need for extensive mental health services to be provided to the affected populations.

Learning Objectives:

• Disease and Injury during natural disasters;
• Surveillance systems and public health in displaced persons camps;

Keywords: Refugees, Surveillance

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.