Early Warning Network set up for swift response to diseases
By Bushra Rafique

ISLAMABAD—World Health Organisation (WHO) and Ministry of Health have set up an Early Warning and Response Network (EWARN) to quickly identify and respond to outbreaks of disease in the quake-hit areas.
Trained Surveillance Officers will impart training to health staff in disease tracking and response and a further 200 public health specialists will be deployed to gather data from existing health centres, WHO officials told a media briefing.
The surveillance will begin in Muzaffarabad and spread out to other reachable affected areas. The WHO officials said although no major outbreaks of disease have been identified, however, risk factors still exist. Access to safe water, adequate sanitation and nutritious food are a priority to keep people healthy and prevent disease.
The first report on the epidemiological status would be available by week’s end. All health partners are being asked to inform the Ministry of Health of any outbreaks of disease. The Ministry of Health and WHO continue to deliver large quantities of supplies to the affected areas with more than 50 vehicles currently transporting medicines, medical supplies andwater and sanitation supplies from Islamabad to different locations.
Medical and surgical teams increasingly report seriously infected wounds among the injured. There is a shortage of tetanus toxoid vaccine and anti-tetanus immunoglobulin. The Ministry of Health has vaccination teams operating in Muzaffarabad and all accessible areas in the district and are vaccinating children from 9 months to 12 years old against measles and providing Vitamin A supplements.
Approximately 3000 children have been vaccinated. Vaccinations are also taking place from Peshawar to Mansehra. The officials said around 13 000 earthquake victims have received surgical treatment so far. Severely injured people continue to be airlifted to Islamabad for urgent treatment.
Pakistan Institute for Medical Sciences (PIMS) continues toreceive patients but the case load is lower than on previous days. To reduce the number of medical air evacuations to Islamabad, Ministry of Health with support from WHO will establish a referral system between the existing health providers in Muzaffarabad. The Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) together with four field hospitals are able to cover the number of required surgeries.
However, there is a shortage of bed space and resources for post-operative care. Also, many patients simply have nowhere to go after they have been treated. The district government of Punjab will be making 4000 additional hospital beds available for the treatment of earthquake victims. Cold weather coupled with lack of shelter is a major health concern.