Colombia: Increased activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano prompts alert

On March 30, the Ministry of Mines and Energy through the Colombian Geological Service (SGC) and the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management, reported an increase in the activity of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano, changing its alert level to ORANGE LEVEL or (II), which can suggest an eruption in terms of days to weeks.

Nevado del Ruiz volcano
Image/Colombian Geological Service

The Nevado del Ruiz volcano borders the departments of Caldas and Tolima in Colombia and is about 129 km west of the capital city Bogotá.

Due to the above and in accordance with the functions established in Decree 4107 of 2011 of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection and with the purpose of guaranteeing the fundamental right to health in the face of the possible consolidation of risk in Tolima, Caldas, Risaralda, Quindío, Cundinamarca and other departments related to the aforementioned alert, we share some considerations and recommendations for the health sector in the territories of influence of the Volcano:

Possible impact scenarios:

– The ash and the fall of micro particulate material can affect the respiratory tract, therefore we recommend the use of face masks. In case of eye symptoms such as irritation, discomfort, tearing or others, we invite you to wash carefully with clean water.

– If skin irritations occur, do not use medication and proceed to irrigate the affected surface with plenty of water.

– There may be exacerbation of pre-existing lung diseases, avoid coming into contact with particulate matter dispersed in the air.

– Faced with the presence of pyroclastic flows, ballistic projectiles, shock waves, debris avalanches, volcanic gases and, to a lesser extent, lava flows, keep in mind that these are the risks that could generate the greatest number of injuries and mortality, therefore which must pay the utmost attention to the safety recommendations of the responsible authorities.

– The hospital infrastructure could be affected by an increase in the demand for services.

Considerations for health authorities and health service providers:

– Guarantee sectoral and hospital contingency plans, which contain, among other aspects: risk scenarios for hospital infrastructure, activation of alert levels as appropriate, pre-hospital care, triage, transport of injured and sick, referral and counter- referral system , intra and extra hospital expansion, strengthening reserve centers, intersectoral and transsectoral coordination in the spaces provided for this purpose and within the framework of the SNGRD, coordinate with the respective Departmental Councils for Disaster Risk Management the decisions and actions to be undertaken for the safety and well-being of the population that could be most affected.

– Monitor the capacities of the IPS in relation to: beds, endowment, services, vital lines, personnel, instruments and medicines.

The Territorial Management, Emergencies and Disasters Office is active and monitoring the situation 24/7 from the Health Emergencies Operations Center.

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