PAHO warns Venezuela quake health emergency has entered critical phase

AI Summary

The Pan American Health Organization has warned that the health emergency following earthquakes in north-central Venezuela has reached a critical phase. The focus is on preventing disease outbreaks among displaced populations after the disaster left thousands dead and injured.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned on Thursday that the health emergency stemming from the earthquakes that struck north-central Venezuela on June 24 has entered a critical stage and is "far from over," with the focus on preventing disease outbreaks among the displaced population. According to the official toll cited by the organization, as of July 8 the quakes had left 3,811 people dead and 16,740 injured.