The Initial Impact of Tsunamis in Papua New Guinea

Recently three tsunamis (the Japanese word for a seismic sea wave), the highest of which was reported as being 10 metres, hit the eastern coast of Papua New Guinea. Centered around the town of Vanimo, the devastation and horror of this event upon the local communities was evident to teams of New Zealand and Australian Servicemen and Women when they responded to this emergency. At least three main villages have been affected and decimated, often by up to 2/3 to 3/4 of their original population, and many smaller hamlets have been wiped out such was the resulting destruction. The number of dead or missing children has promoted the term “the missing generation”. The initial response teams found severe physical trauma to be the immediate management problem. Gas gangrene often resulted requiring surgical amputation, in many cases on children. The effect on surgical teams of carrying out this procedure has in itself been traumatic. Temperatures of 390C and rapidly decomposing bodies are adding to health risks for the locals and rescuers alike. ‘Off limit’ zones have been established because of the serious risk of disease to all in the affected coastline.

Now that the primary response has been completed, secondary diseases such as malaria, aspiration pneumonia and skin and wound infections are having active management. At this stage there is little vomiting and diarrhoea, and no cholera or typhoid. Fogging is being undertaken to keep down the insect population (Missionary or first aid teams are well established to follow up care). Soon the 14 day grieving period will be over: with a ‘sing sing’. This is a mourning and then a celebration. The effect on the region will be permanent and South Pacific countries are aiding by providing funds and follow up practical assistance. New Zealand tends to be extremely generous to this end.

On a lighter side, many well meaning groups do not understand the severity of this event: one person suggesting counselling as a first aid measure, and one ‘first aid response group’ arriving 10 days after the earthquake driven tsunami saying “we are here, wheel in the trauma cases”. Naturally they had all been treated by then.

Marc Shaw
Travellers Health and Vaccination Centre
Auckland, New Zealand