The pattern of morbidity after typhoons in a tropical country

TLDR: Whether there was a greater risk of certain infectious diseases after typhoons combined with floods in Manila, which experienced three typhoons in 1970 one of which was the most disastrous ever recorded, is examined.

Abstract: The paper examines whether there was a greater risk of certain infectious diseases after typhoons combined with floods in Manila, which experienced three typhoons in 1970 one of which was the most disastrous ever recorded. The data on morbidity of cholera, typhoid and clinical syndromes diagnosed as gastroenteritis, pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza from routine but active collecting were statistically examined and compared for seasonal trends with those of Baguio, a town which did not experience typhoons. In spite of increased rainfall, destruction and temporary breakdown of sanitation, no significant differences attributable to the typhoons were detected in any of the studied diseases. In particular, there was no increase in typhoid nor in cholera in this cholera endemic town. The observed higher incidence of respiratory and to some extent also of gastrointestinal diseases was not statistically significant.