Consultations for infectious diseases during the aftermath of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake: Analysis of data from the J-SPEED reporting system

OBJECTIVES: To assess temporal patterns and factors associated with infectious disease (ID)-related consultations after the 2024 Noto Earthquake in Japan using emergency medical team (EMT) reports from the Japan Surveillance in Post Extreme Emergencies and Disasters (J-SPEED) system. METHODS: We analyzed 12,236 consultations by 672 EMTs between January 2 and May 26, 2024. Joinpoint regression of moving averages was used to define response phases, and multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were used for acute respiratory infection (ARI) and gastrointestinal infection or food poisoning (GI), by age group and geographic area. RESULTS: A total of 4597 (37.6%) consultations were ID-related. Children aged 0-14 years showed higher odds of ARI (aOR 1.90, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.53-2.36) and GI (aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.28-2.64) than adults aged ≥65 years. Northern Noto showed the highest odds of ARI (aOR 7.34, 95% CI 5.15-10.45). ARI was most frequent during phase 2, whereas GI predominated during phase 1. CONCLUSION: ID-related consultations showed distinct age-, geographic-, and phase-specific patterns. These findings support restoration of water, sanitation, and hygiene; improved shelter conditions; and linkage between EMT reporting, rapid analysis, and coordinated public health response to mitigate infectious disease threats in future disasters.