Venezuela quake survivors face disease risks as rescue effort ends
Why it matters: With 18,000 people homeless and 3 hospitals out, aid teams warn of measles, diarrhea and respiratory outbreaks.
As the search for survivors from Venezuela's June 24 twin earthquakes winds down, health workers are shifting to the dangers facing the living in crowded shelters and devastated neighborhoods. The disaster has killed at least 3,535 people, injured about 16,700 and left roughly 18,000 homeless, with La Guaira hit hardest. UNICEF adviser Eduardo Celades said doctors are treating diarrhea, respiratory infections, skin disease, dehydration, asthma attacks and sunburn as displaced families endure heat, rain, dust and scarce medicines. The World Health Organization said three hospitals suffered critical structural damage and several others are only partly functioning, raising fears of outbreaks including measles.
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Earlier in this story
- 2 hours agoVenezuela quake survivors face disease risks as rescue effort endsreading now
- 20 hours agoVenezuela quake death toll rises to 3,535, 18,000 displaced
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