WHO raises alarm over epidemic outbreaks in Venezuela after earthquakes, amid overwhelmed hospitals and thousands missing

A week after two earthquakes struck Venezuela, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that the risk of disease outbreaks in the country has increased.

At a press conference held in Geneva, WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said the Venezuelan healthcare system is under extraordinary pressure, as hospitals are operating beyond capacity due to the continuing number of injured people.

Official data show that 1,719 people have died in the earthquakes, while another 5,034 have been injured. Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates that approximately 50,000 people remain missing.

According to Lindmeier, the current circumstances are favorable to the spread of infectious diseases.

“There is a growing risk of disease outbreaks,” he said, identifying vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, diphtheria and whooping cough as a threat, as well as diseases spread through water and mosquitoes, including dengue, malaria and Zika.

WHO says that 38 hospitals in the country have been affected by the consequences of the earthquakes. In addition, various types of damage, both structural and functional, have been identified in 21 monitored health institutions. Three of them are in critical condition, while several others are operating only partially.

The main difficulties, according to the assessment, are linked to overcrowded hospitals, a lack of biosafety standards, and significant delays in treating patients, especially for orthopedic and neurosurgical procedures.

Authorities stress that damage to health infrastructure, lack of water and sewage systems, together with population displacement, are significantly increasing the likelihood of a new health crisis in Venezuela.