After the earthquakes in Venezuela, the country faces a risk of spreading infectious diseases as many hospitals have been damaged.
According to WHO official Christian Lindmeier in Geneva, 38 hospitals have been affected. Some are completely non-operational, while others are overcrowded, putting the healthcare system under severe strain.
The risk of epidemics such as measles, diphtheria, whooping cough, and yellow fever has sharply increased. Due to damaged water and sanitation systems, people in temporary shelters face risks of malaria, dengue fever, chikungunya, and Zika virus.
The situation is worsened by low vaccination rates before the disaster and an acute shortage of vaccines. Additionally, critical staff shortages are reported.
