Communicable diseases management in disasters: An analysis in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Due to the importance of managing communicable diseases (CD) in disaster situations, the Center for Communicable Diseases Management (CCDM) within the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Islamic Republic of Iran, has taken measures to improve routine communicable diseases management systems in normal and emergency situation. 

This study aims to explore the improvement measures since 2005. A qualitative document analysis method was used for analyzing all existing documents related to communicable diseases management from March 2003 to the end of 2014 in the CCDM and official websites of related organizations.

Seventy-two documents that addressed communicable diseases management in disasters were included in the final analysis. The study findings were summarized in four phases of the disaster management cycle according to five core and support functions of the surveillance system.The reviewed documents highlighted improvements in communicable diseases management in disasters, including inter-organization collaboration, information flow and use of new technologies such as web-based or mobile phone-based systems.