Infection surveillance system for evacuation centers

Background: The Tohoku Earthquake on March 11, 2011 increased the risk of infectious diseases due to adverse changes such as closer human contact, crowding, displacement of disaster victims, disruption of water supply and sanitation services in evacuation centers. Outbreaks of gastroenteritis and acute respiratory infections were frequently reported during the post-disaster period, and they were closely related to the factors mentioned above. In the post-disaster period, routine disease surveillance systems were not operated for the task because it was disrupted due to the earthquake disaster. Purpose: To utilize a reliable disease reporting system in order to identify outbreaks and to promptly initiate control measures. Methods: Infectious Disease Surveillance Center (IDSC), National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), developed infection surveillance system for evacuation centers for Fukushima Prefecture Kennan Public Health Center to take infection control measures in the evacuation centers of the south-district in Fukushima Prefecture for the first time in Japan after the disaster. Results: Evacuation center infection surveillance provided a more flexible and prompt reporting system on the website in IDSC's system than that used in normal conditions. NIID conducted risk assessment of infectious diseases at affected areas using surveillance data provided by local government and fed back the results on the web site and by e-mail periodically. The surveillance system successfully prevented and controlled infectious disease outbreaks for evacuation centers during the post-disaster period. Conclusion: Prompt and adequate prevention, control measures and appropriate case management using surveillance systems were essential for minimizing infectious disease burdens during the post-disaster period.