Injuries after a Typhoon in China

Abstract

An investigation was conducted by the Chinese Field Epidemiology Training Program to ascertain the rate of and risk factors for typhoon-related injuries in an affected coastal city after a huge typhoon struck the region on 12 August 2004. An injury case was defined as any case involving hospitalization of a patient between 12 and 14 August 2004, for any of 10 types of typhoon-related injury and death as any death from such an injury occurring between 12 and 18 August 2004. There were 442 injured patients identified in 10 hospitals; 50 of these patients died (injury rate, 27 per 100 000 persons; death rate, 3 per 100 000). The injury rate was higher among men than among women (42 vs. 28 per 100 000, P<0.001), but the rate among male and female children younger than 5 years of age was the same. The rate increased according to age (from 20 per 100 000 for those <20 years of age to 75 per 100 000 for those >70 years). Of 240 injury cases investigated, 155 (65%) involved injuries sustained during the first 6 hours of the typhoon, before it made landfall. The number of cases increased as the wind speed increased and decreased as the winds died down; injury rates were not associated with the amount of rainfall. Flying debris and collapsing buildings caused 23% of the injuries, motor vehicle collisions 23%, and falls 21%. The death rate was highest among persons who were injured as a result of a collapsed building. Of 34 persons injured, 14 (41%) died. The main causes of death were collapsing buildings (54% of all deaths), collisions (20%), and flying debris (10%). Results suggest that, because of the obvious danger to persons who are outdoors just before or during a typhoon, the public must be able to hear and respond to typhoon alerts. Furthermore, the government should enhance emergency preparedness and educate people about the risks for and prevention of typhoon-related injuries.