Bushfires and floods
Australia is prone to bushfires and floods. These natural disasters often have serious effects on people’s health, including:
- burns and smoke inhalation
- outbreaks of water borne diseases from contaminated flood waters
- mental health issues resulting from trauma or stress.
Learn about what you can do to prepare for:
Responding to national natural disasters
In the event of a natural disaster that becomes a national emergency, Australia’s Chief Medical Officer activates the National Incident Centre. This can happen when:
- health aspects of the incident need national coordination
- a natural disaster results in mass casualties
- we deploy Australian medical personnel in an emergency.
We publish health-related information about the emergency on our website to keep the public informed.
The Australian Government has a Disaster Response Plan (COMDISPLAN) that provides non-financial help to an affected state or territory when they are overwhelmed by an emergency or disaster.
Our role in this plan is related to the health aspects of the situation, including:
- monitoring emerging communicable disease issues and outbreaks
- providing specialist technical advice and expertise, such as
- epidemiological information
- advice on infection control
- sending medical assistance teams (AUSMAT)
- coordinating public health responses across different states and territories
- implementing human biosecurity and border health measures
- communicating with health sector partners and stakeholders
- meeting international health reporting obligations, particularly under the International Health Regulations
- managing the National Medical Stockpile and providing supplies to states and territories
- handling the logistics of aged care residents when evacuating or relocating.
Learn more about the COMDISPLAN.
Environmental impact of natural disasters
Natural disasters can affect our health long after the emergency is over. For example, there might be:
- issues with water quality after flooding or an oil spill
- exposure to asbestos during a bushfire.
Learn about the health effects of:
Learn more about what we’re doing to improve environmental health in Australia.
Moto wa misitu na mafuriko Australia inaelekea kuharibiwa na moto wa misitu na mafuriko. Madhara haya ya asili mara nyingi huwa na athari mbaya kwa afya ya watu, ikiwa ni pamoja na: - kuchomwa moto na kuvuta moshi - milipuko ya magonjwa yanayopitishwa na maji kutoka kwa maji ya mafuriko yaliyochafuliwa - masuala ya afya ya akili yanayotokana na majeraha au mkazo. Kwa mfano, ikiwa kuna msiba wa asili unaosababisha dharura ya kitaifa, Afisa Mkuu wa Matibabu wa Australia huanzisha Kituo cha Kitaifa cha Matukio. Hii inaweza kutokea wakati: - masuala ya afya ya tukio hilo yanahitaji uratibu wa kitaifa - msiba wa asili unasababisha majeruhi wengi - tunatuma wafanyakazi wa matibabu wa Australia katika hali ya dharura. Tunatoa taarifa za afya kuhusu hali ya dharura kwenye tovuti yetu ili kuwahakikishia watu. Serikali ya Australia ina Mpango wa Majanga (COMDISPLAN) ambayo hutoa msaada usio wa kifedha kwa jimbo au eneo lililoathiriwa wakati wanashindwa na dharura au janga. """Jukumu letu katika mpango huu linahusiana na masuala ya afya ya hali, ikiwa ni pamoja na: - kufuatilia masuala na milipuko ya magonjwa ya kuambukiza yanayotokea - kutoa ushauri wa kiufundi na utaalam, kama vile habari za magonjwa - ushauri juu ya udhibiti wa maambukizo - kutuma timu za msaada wa matibabu (AUSMAT) - kuratibu majibu ya afya ya umma katika majimbo na maeneo tofauti - kutekeleza hatua za usalama wa binadamu na afya ya mpaka - kuwasiliana na washirika na wadau wa sekta ya afya - kutimiza majukumu ya kimataifa ya ripoti, haswa chini ya Kanuni za Afya za Kimataifa." Jifunze zaidi kuhusu COMMISSION Matokeo ya mazingira ya misiba ya asili Misiba ya asili inaweza kuathiri afya yetu muda mrefu baada ya dharura kumalizika. Kwa mfano, kunaweza kuwa: - masuala na ubora wa maji baada ya mafuriko au kuvuja mafuta - mfiduo wa asbestos wakati wa moto wa misitu. Jifunze kuhusu athari za afya za: Jifunze zaidi kuhusu kile tunachofanya ili kuboresha afya ya mazingira nchini Australia.