Prevalence of nasopharyngeal carriage of potential respiratory bacterial pathogens in tsunami affected children living in the Camps in the Galle District of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Displaced populations due to disasters often inevitably seek refuge In evacuation camps Similarly, most of those displaced following 2004 Tsunami had to live in temporary shelters set up in the affected districts of Sri Lanka These camps usually accommodate a large number of people in a limited space, leading to overcrowding and poor hygiene ,Therefore, they are efficient environments for the colonization with potential respiratory bacterial pathogens in the nasopharynx : of Inhabitants, particularly children living in the camps Out of 238 NP samples obtained from children living in the camps, 139 (584 percent ) NP samples were positive for potential respiratory bacterial pathogens, whereas out of 115 NP samples obtained from children living in homes, there were 56 (48.69 percent ) positive NP samples. Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenza and Moraxella catarrhalis were isolated in 88 (37 percent ), 83 (34.9 percent ), 06 (2.52 percent ) NP samples obtained from children living in the camps Of the NP samples obtained from children living in the homes.