Venezuela-Earthquakes/Epidemic
Venezuela-Earthquakes/Epidemic
Dateline : Recent
Location : Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Duration : 2'18
La Guaira, Venezuela - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. National flag of Brazil, national flag of Venezuela
2. Various of field hospital, patients
3. SOUNDBITE (Portuguese) Mariano, director, Brazilian field hospital in Venezuela (full name not given) (ending with shot 4):
"The number of consultations started to grow in the second week, when people began moving around again and found out there was a Brazilian field hospital in the disaster area. Current health issues are likely more related to infections caused by overcrowding in shelters, as well as the handling of victims' remains and trauma-related care, which has increased the demand for medical services. We have already treated approximately 1,400 patients."
4. Various of patients in field hospital, waiting for treatment, ambulence
5. Various of temporary shelter, residents
6. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Huniades Urbina-Medina, former president, National Academy of Medicine of Venezuela (starting with shot 5):
"One of the main challenges is managing infections that could spread in hospitals and shelters, especially since shelters lack clean drinking water and kitchens, which can lead to diarrhea. Another potential issue is respiratory infections, as many people are crammed into small, poorly ventilated spaces, which allows viruses to spread much faster."
7. Various of damaged buildings, excavators clearing debris
As Venezuela enters the third week following a devastating earthquake, the hardest-hit regions are transitioning from search-and-rescue operations to disease prevention and medical recovery, with infectious disease control emerging as a pressing challenge.
In La Guaira, one of the most severely affected states, a temporary medical camp established by the Brazilian military has become an indispensable force in the ongoing relief efforts.
Since arriving shortly after the disaster, the Brazilian Navy medical team has been providing urgent care to local residents, ranging from trauma treatment to routine consultations.
The field hospital officially began operations on June 29 and currently houses 99 staff members, including 43 frontline healthcare workers. Equipped with general practice, pediatrics, and orthopedics departments, the facility features an intensive care unit and is capable of conducting ultrasound imaging and minor to medium-sized surgeries.
Mariano, head of the Brazilian field hospital in Venezuela, noted that patient numbers began to surge in the second week as mobility was restored and locals became aware of the facility's presence.
"The number of consultations started to grow in the second week, when people began moving around again and found out there was a Brazilian field hospital in the disaster area. Current health issues are likely more related to infections caused by overcrowding in shelters, as well as the handling of victims' remains and trauma-related care, which has increased the demand for medical services. We have already treated approximately 1,400 patients," he said.
While the Brazilian field hospital has partly alleviated the medical strain on La Guaira, the 99-member team can only cover a limited scope of needs. The earthquakes have dealt a heavy blow to Venezuela's already fragile health system. Even before the disaster, the country's vaccination rate remained low due to U.S. sanctions and other factors.
In La Guaira, only one of the three original large public hospitals is barely functioning, with its admission capacity drastically reduced.
The World Health Organization recently warned that Venezuela faces a severe risk of infectious disease outbreaks in the aftermath of the quake, with heightened possibilities of yellow fever, dengue, and malaria.
Experts from the Venezuelan National Academy of Medicine have emphasized that disease prevention must be the current focus of public health efforts.
"One of the main challenges is managing infections that could spread in hospitals and shelters, especially since shelters lack clean drinking water and kitchens, which can lead to diarrhea. Another potential issue is respiratory infections, as many people are crammed into small, poorly ventilated spaces, which allows viruses to spread much faster," said Huniades Urbina-Medina, former president of the Venezuelan National Academy of Medicine.
The death toll from the twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,118, according to National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
ID : 8488863
Published : 2026-07-11 12:23
Last Modified : 2026-07-11 19:51:11
Source : China Central Television (CCTV)
Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland
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