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OPS: concerned about deaths from diarrhea
"Two other cases could be added to the official figure of 17 deaths this year
SOURCE ENVIARIMPRIMIRCOMENTARDISMINUIR FUENTEAUMENTAR
The Pan American Health Organization is concerned about the number of deaths from diarrhea in the country.The Dr. Eduardo Suarez Castaneda applies vaccine to influenza A H1N1 health minister, Maria Isabel Rodriguez. She was the first to be immunized. PHOTOS edh / file
Yamileth Caceres
Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010
The representative of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Jos? Ruales, expressed concern about the high number of deaths from acute gastroenteritis so far this year.
"By analyzing the characteristics of these cases shows that in many cases are children who have come so late to health services," said Ruales.
According to official figures, so far this year, 17 people have died from acute gastroenteritis. Of these, two are adults. It was known that in the past week, two more children died of this disease is confirmed, the number would amount to 19.
Another point to which attention should be paid is that nearly half of infants who died was treated by the hands of a healer before receiving medical treatment. "Children stop two to four hours because there is a specific type of cultural practice where they live, that's what can cause more damage and the likelihood of you dying," said the representative of PAHO.
What is also concerned about the high incidence of rotavirus diarrhea in the consultations, a factor that raises the possibility that a child dies from severe dehydration.
Eduardo Suarez Castaneda, director of Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, said there still exist the conditions for an epidemic by rotavirus, given the high percentage of children who were not vaccinated last year.
The virus, which is characterized by rapid dehydration, vomiting and fever, in the consultations for diarrhea has reached nearly 50 percent of cases. "It's something we expected is what we have to work harder to inoculate the children to improve coverage," said Suarez Castaneda.
Last year was the lowest coverage of immunization against rotavirus from which it applies. According to Health, only 75 thousand children from 122 thousand were fully protected, representing 61.4 percent. "Last year and reach 70 per cent coverage because there were shortages," the infectious diseases.
In 2009 it was in crisis because the previous administration did not cancel a debt to the Revolving Fund of the Expanded Program on Immunization for Vaccine Procurement.
Ruales said to have a better impact on prevention of disease would be expected in the next two or three years to cover infants under five years.
Currently, the target dose to less than eight months. "When we have a complete vaccination will ensure that the rotavirus is not a public health problem," he added Ruales