Earthquake in Loreto: what's going on in the health of people after an earthquake? | Elmer Huerta

Last Sunday Loreto was the epicenter of a magnitude 8.0 earthquake, according to the latest report from the National Center for Emergency Operations. Emergencies like this cause high number of injured, some with severe trauma due to landslides and others with nerve shocks after the earthquake. Elmer Huerta, Medical Advisor of RPP News, points out that it is important that the health system is prepared to face an earthquake.

"When this type of event occurs, thousands of people come for a nervous breakdown or blows to the head or shoulder and invade hospitals. Only 3 to 5% of people who go to medical centers need immediate emergency care. It is important that the health system is ready to sort and know who needs attention, "he says.

A recent study published in the scientific journal The lancet this shows that an earthquake produces three "waves of death" or moments that they have deadly impacts in the population. The first wave it is known as instantaneous, and It comes at the time of the disasterwhen houses fall and by the collapse of buildings.

"The preventive is educate people so that they leave in an orderly and calm manner avoid any accidents, "he says.

After the first hours of the earthquake (between 24 and 48 hours), the "second wave" is given. Many people have been exposed to fractures, encephalocutaneous lesions, closed abdominal trauma, and kidney bursts. These lesions can worsen over the hours if no immediate attention is given.

The "Third wave" occurs a week or two after the earthquake, when the complications of the survivors of the first two fatal moments begin.

In this wave, the people affected are those who have had trauma and the kidney is infected little by little, or those who have a blow to the head and the damage occur two weeks, as well as those infected with operative wounds.

"Requires a huge burden of the health care system for all survivors and priority must be given to public policies"Holds Huerta.

According to information provided by the Geophysical Institute of Peru (IGP), the movement it had a depth of 135 kilometers and an intensity of grade V and VI. The seismic movement was also felt in Ecuador, Colombia and Brazil

Yurimaguas, Moyobamba, Tarapoto and Rioja are among the largest cities near the epicenter. RPP News found that throughout the region San Martin electricity was cut off.