Summary
- WHO, MOH and UNICEF, in cooperation
with interested partner agencies, are to initiate the preemptive immunization
against Tetanus and Diphtheria, covering those aged 15 years and above
in the affected areas.
- A WHO consultant, in cooperation with local authorities, is conducting field-level water quality testing.
- A Measles and Vitamin A campaign is about to be launched in high-risk villages.
- WHO and the Indonesian Ministry of Health have provided guidelines for management of tetanus, which will be presented to other health partners during the next coordination meeting.
- Health workers need to be deployed to provide support for mental health cases.
Background
An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 on the Richter scale (according to the US Geological survey) struck the Indonesian provinces of Yogyakarta and Central Java on 27 May 2006 at 5.54 am. The epicentre was 15 - 20 km southwest of Yogyakarta (17.1 km/10.6 miles depth). Over 60 000 houses have been completely destroyed and over 300 000 damaged. An estimated 200 000 to 650 000 are left homeless.
Current Situation
Official reports estimate that the death toll has increased from 5536 to 6234, and the number of injuries from 36 457 to 57 790. It appears that this increase might be due to late reporting. However, the government has initiated action to reconcile the figures and produce final statistics.
Additionally, volcanic activity in Mount Merapi is reported to have further intensified.
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