Earth Watch Report - Epidemic Hazards
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| Today | Epidemic Hazard | Colombia | Municipality of Garzon , Garzon |  |
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Epidemic Hazard in Colombia on Thursday, 23 May, 2013 at 02:41 (02:41 AM) UTC.
| Description | |
| An epidemic of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in the municipality of Garzon in the center of the Department of Huila has resulted in 2 deaths and another 23 people infected with the dangerous illness. Carlos Daniel Mazabel, departmental secretary for health, warned that pregnant women, people older than 60 years, and cancer patients are the most vulnerable groups. The 2 fatal victims to date are a 61-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man, a community leader from the municipality of Garzon, who, according to the medical diagnosis, died after a complicated fever and respiratory distress syndrome. | |
| Biohazard name: | Acute respiratory illness |
| Biohazard level: | 4/4 Hazardous |
| Biohazard desc.: | Viruses and bacteria that cause severe to fatal disease in humans, and for which vaccines or other treatments are not available, such as Bolivian and Argentine hemorrhagic fevers, H5N1(bird flu), Dengue hemorrhagic fever, Marburg virus, Ebola virus, hantaviruses, Lassa fever, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, and other hemorrhagic or unidentified diseases. When dealing with biological hazards at this level the use of a Hazmat suit and a self-contained oxygen supply is mandatory. The entrance and exit of a Level Four biolab will contain multiple showers, a vacuum room, an ultraviolet light room, autonomous detection system, and other safety precautions designed to destroy all traces of the biohazard. Multiple airlocks are employed and are electronically secured to prevent both doors opening at the same time. All air and water service going to and coming from a Biosafety Level 4 (P4) lab will undergo similar decontamination procedures to eliminate the possibility of an accidental release. |
| Symptoms: | |
| Status: | confirmed |
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Acute respiratory infections: a review*
This article has been cited by other articles in PMC.
Abstract
Acute respiratory infections (ARI) constitute one of the principal causes of morbidity and mortality in many countries. Data from 88 countries in five continents, with a total population of nearly 1200 million, showed that deaths due to ARI in 1972 amounted to 666 000. Pneumonia, both viral and bacterial, accounted for 75.5% of the total deaths from ARI. Mortality from ARI represents 6.3% of deaths from all causes. Considerable differences in mortality rates exist both between and within continents. Mortality from ARI is highest in infants and old people. The data suggest that in some areas of the world mortality due to ARI is extremely high.
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