2017 Volume 32 Issue 5 Pages 282-290
Doctors and nurses certified in infection control joined the Japan Medical Association Team (JMAT) of Kagoshima Prefecture to support the local medical association and administrative healthcare teams with respect to infection prevention activities at evacuation centers from April 21, 2016 (5 days after the main event) to May 1, 2016 (15 days after the main event) in Uto-city after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes. The activities comprised risk assessment pertaining to the outbreaks of infections at the evacuation centers, establishment of symptomatic surveillance, and distribution of antiseptics and equipment for infection prevention. There were no outbreaks of infectious diseases such as those of influenza and infectious gastroenteritis at the evacuation centers in Uto-city. Our activities were effective in the prevention of outbreaks at these centers. It is important to prepare a structure to support infection prevention including medical support team and disaster health emergency assistance team at the time of disasters at evacuation centers.
