Rapid Risk Assessment: Hurricane Irma: risk of communicable diseases in the affected countries

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the most immediate risks in the affected areas of the Caribbean are increased transmission of diarrhoeal diseases related to lack of access to safe drinking water and acute respiratory infection in children accommodated in overcrowded shelters. The risk of an upsurge in cholera cases in areas with previous transmission and flood-specific risks (e.g. tetanus and leptospirosis) should be given priority when adopting mitigating measures. Mosquito-borne diseases represent a delayed risk that should be taken into account in this context.