We have identified you may not be viewing TRAVAX optimally because the browser you are using is unsupported - click here.

placeholder="Enter search term...">
Suitcase

Earthquakes in Turkey and Syria

24 February 2023

Recent earthquakes have caused devastation to southern Turkey and northwest Syria, resulting in significant loss of life as well as loss of essential infrastructure, including healthcare, water and sanitation facilities.

It is expected that aftershocks will continue to affect the area, though decreasing in intensity over the coming weeks and months. The UK Government, among others has responded with humanitarian aid and medical support.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) highlight in their recent report that in addition to the loss of life caused by the initial impact and its secondary causes (e.g., landslides) and disruption of local healthcare services for those in urgent need, earthquakes can also lead to the emergence of infectious diseases and outbreaks of disease over the coming weeks related to:

  • Food and waterborne diseases (e.g. cholera, hepatitis A and other enteric pathogens) if clean water, sanitation and hygiene conditions are poor within camps, and/or electricity supplies are damaged affecting food storage.
  • Respiratory infections, (e.g. COVID-19, influenza) especially in campsites and temporary settlements where crowding due to cold weather is a risk factor
  • Vaccine preventable diseases, such as measles, diphtheria, polio and meningitis. Tetanus may also be a risk for those working in rescue operations.

Advice for those assisting in medical response

Those wishing to lend assistance should avoid travelling independently and instead approach appropriate professional aid organisations and charities for information and guidance on ways they can assist. Well-meaning travellers may do more harm than good and place themselves at significant risk if they travel to a disaster area independently, without adequate preparation, training, or support.

All travellers who must travel to affected areas should be made aware of the following:

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice should be reviewed for the latest information relating to natural disasters and safety and security.

  • The FCDO currently advise against all travel to Syria and against all travel to areas of Turkey within 10km of the border with Syria.
  • The Turkish government has stated that only vehicles which carry aid teams and aid materials will be allowed to enter cities deemed to be inside the area of the disaster.

Comprehensive travel insurance, which includes evacuation and repatriation benefits is essential, prior to travel.

  • Travelling against FCDO advice may invalidate travel insurance.

When advising humanitarian workers, please consult the individual country pages on TRAVAX for the most up to date advice.

Food and Water-borne Infections

Access to safe food and water, sanitary and hygiene conditions will determine the types of disease outbreaks which occur in disaster areas.

Infestations and vector-borne infections

Good insect bite avoidance measures are essential in disaster areas.

  • Skin infestations such as scabies or or lice are transmitted through direct contact with others, and therefore may be an increased risk for those living in overcrowded camps at close quarters. Lice may transmit bacterial infections such as typhus.
  • Natural disasters can result in flooding and pooling of stagnant water which increases vector breeding sites and the risk of developing insect-borne infections.

Blood Borne Infections

Travellers visiting disaster areas may have an increased risk of accident or injury requiring local medical care or blood products putting them at increased risk of contact with blood borne infections.


For additional information, see the TRAVAX Humanitarian Workers page.