Unequal respiratory health risk: using GIS to explore hurricane-related flooding of schools in Eastern North Carolina

This cross-sectional study investigated whether schools serving populations at high risk of developing respiratory infections in the state of North Carolina (USA) were disproportionately burdened by flooding from Hurricane Floyd. We used geographic information systems (GIS) to overlay a satellite-derived image of the flooded land with school locations. We identified 77 flooded schools and 355 schools that were not flooded in 36 counties. These schools were then characterized based on the income, race/ethnicity, and age of their student populations. Prevalence ratios (PRs) revealed that low-income schools in which a majority of students were Black had twice the risk of being flooded (PR 2.01; 95% confidence interval, 1.28, 3.17) compared to the referent group (non-low-income schools with a majority of non-Black students). This analysis suggests that schools serving populations already at elevated risk of respiratory illness were disproportionately affected by the flooding of Hurricane Floyd. GIS can be used to identify and prioritize schools quickly for remediation following natural disasters.     

Estimating changes in emergency department visits associated with floods caused by Tropical Storm Imelda using satellite observations and syndromic surveillance

BackgroundSatellite observations following flooding coupled with electronic health data collected through syndromic surveillance systems (SyS) may be useful in efficiently characterizing and responding to health risks associated with flooding.ResultsThere was a 10% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1%–19%) increase in asthma related ED visits and 22% (95% CI: 5%–41%) increase in insect bite related ED visits in the flooded ZCTAs compared to non-flooded ZCTAs during the flood period. One month following the floods, diarrhea related ED visits were increased by 15% (95% CI: 4%–27%) for flooded ZCTAs and children and adolescents from flooded ZCTAs had elevated risk for dehydration related ED visits. During the protracted period (2–3 months after the flood period), the risk for asthma, insect bite, and diarrhea related ED visits were elevated among the flooded ZCTAs. Effect modification by reported age, ethnicity and race was observed.ConclusionCombining satellite observations with SyS data can be helpful in characterizing the location and timing of environmentally mediated adverse health outcomes, which may be useful for refining disaster resilience measures to mitigate health outcomes following flooding.     

基于格网数据驱动的螺情信息空间分析与研究

目的探索湘江长沙段洲滩螺情与水源距离、土壤湿度、植被分布、汛期平均水位的关系。方法应用基于格网数据驱动的GIS空间分析方法,结合洲滩标准化植被指数、土壤湿度,对2005-2009年湘江流域长沙段的螺情信息进行分析,并对汛期平均水位与螺情反复、洲滩钉螺密度的变化关系进行分析。结果 2005年甑皮州钉螺主要分布在距最近水源40～240m的范围内,60m处分布最多。钉螺密度与水位存在较明显的正相关性。2005年甑皮州标准化植被指数范围为0～0.982,土壤湿度范围为0～0.298,植被类型分布以杂草和莎草为主。基于水源基准线作出了年度螺情变化的洲滩螺情势图,可直观了解螺情发展情况。结论利用格网数据驱动的螺情信息空间分析方法,可以更准确地反映钉螺网格所在地的植被和土壤湿度状况以及洲滩钉螺的态势,从而及时掌握流行状况。即使在人工干预的情况下,水位变化仍然是导致螺情变化的重要因素。     

A Prospective Study on Changes in Health Status Following Flood Disaster

Objective

We examined changes in general health status, the prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, and the existence of pre-trauma contributing factors in an agricultural population following a massive flood.

Methods

Eighty-three of 160 residents of Garisan-ni, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do, were assessed using the Korean version of the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36-K) between April and June 2006, just prior to a massive flood. Among those initially assessed, 58 residents were available for follow-up 18 months after the flood. Participants completed the SF-36-K, Beck Depression Index (BDI), Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-PTSD, and the Korean version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) to detect depression and PTSD. Trauma experiences were also assessed. Factors related to changes in health status were then analyzed.

Results

SF-36-K total scale scores decreased significantly, suggesting a significant reduction in health-related quality of life. The largest reductions were noted in physical and social functioning. Fifty-three percent of the subjects were at least mildly depressed, and 17% had severe depression. In addition, 22% had PTSD on both the IES-R and MMPI-PTSD. Factors that contributed to the deterioration of health status following the flood were the number of disaster events and existence of depression (as assessed by the BDI).

Conclusion

The flood was found to lead to deterioration of health status and to provoke depression and PTSD among the agricultural population in the mountainous region. We suggest that the number of disaster event experiences and existence of depression contriuted to changes in health status after the flood.     

特大洪水溃堤后对血吸虫病疫情影响的纵向观察

目的阐明特大洪水溃堤对血吸虫病流行的影响。方法选择1998年特大洪水溃破的凤仪洲作为观察对象,对溃堤后螺、病情进行流行病学调查,收集灾前有关年份疫情资料及水旱特征资料。结果 1998年溃堤后,滩地钉螺面积增加了56.2％,灾后阳性螺密度升高,居民感染率呈持续上升趋势,同时引起疫区扩大。结论特大洪水溃堤,将对血吸虫病流行产生严重影响。     

Spatio-temporal clustering of cholera: The impact of flood control in Matlab, Bangladesh, 1983–2003

Introducing flood control to an area of endemic waterborne diseases could have significant impacts on spatio-temporal occurrence of cholera. Using 21-year data from Bangladesh, we conducted cluster analysis to explore changes in spatial and temporal distribution of cholera incidence since the construction of flood control structures. Striking changes in temporal cluster patterns emerged, including a shift from dry-season to rainy-season clusters following flood protection and delayed clustering inside the protected areas. Spatial differences in pre-flood protection and post-protection cholera clusters are weaker. Changes in spatio-temporal cholera clustering, associated with implementation of flood protection strategies, could affect local cholera prevention efforts.     

抗洪中使用青蒿琥酯预防血吸虫病效果分析

目的 现场观察青蒿琥酯预防血吸虫病的效果。方法 对１９９８年长江抗洪抢险接触疫水的人民解放军、军警部队官兵和机关干部服用青蒿琥酯,并以未服用青蒿琥酯预防,而用吡喹酮早期治疗者作对照。