Re: Peru- Leptospirosis 2012
http://www.larepublica.pe/26-04-201...ptospirosis-que-cobro-su-tercera-victima-mort
Spanish-English translation
The epidemic is not stopped.
Iquitos in emergency: Floods leptospirosis outbreak, which claimed its third fatality
Thursday, April 26, 2012 | 5:00 a.m.
Several areas of Iquitos are overwhelmed by the rivers. No flood lived for decades.
That terrible disease killed two men (32 and 64). A few days ago a child died because of disease that is spread by contact with contaminated water and urine of animals. People begged for help.
Rosa Cardenas. Iquitos.
The drama of Sonia Rodriguez Chilicahua just beginning. The winding Amazonian waters destroyed several of their humble belongings and threatens to topple his house. However, she and her three young children are reluctant to leave, even though they are caught in the vast swamp formed by the elements. This phenomenon has caused devastating damage in several towns of Loreto as New Versailles, 24 September and Amazon, Punchana district in the province of Maynas.
Like Sonia, many people have preferred to stay home and not go to shelters because they fear being victims of thieves. But the danger of drowning in this area is much larger, and acquire some deadly disease product of water pollution.
"My baby has several skin diseases. His siblings have fever, bronchial and stomach ailments," says Ms. Rodriguez.
Flood waters can not be consumed. Therefore, this vital fluid has become its main shortcoming. "Before vert?amos chlorine to water, but not now, because we have no money to buy the disinfectant. Today life is not easy," complains Sonia to misfortune.
So far there are over 70 thousand people affected by floods in Loreto, while the number of victims borders on 200 000. The rains also have left four dead.
TRACKS EPIDEMIC
The situation of emergency in Loreto is aggravated by the outbreak of epidemics, many of them fatal. Yesterday he confirmed the deaths of two more deaths by the dreaded leptospirosis. The first was a man of 64 who came from Nauta, his death occurred last Sunday, according to the deputy director of the Regional Health Directorate of Loreto, Christian Carey.
Third person died yesterday, aged 32, said the regional president Ivan Vasquez. A few days ago also killed a 9 years because of terrible evil. Little presented the same symptoms mentioned above. So far there have been 260 probable cases of leptospirosis -120 more than last year, of which 36 have already been confirmed.
How do you catch this deadly evil? Leptospirosis infects humans through open wounds exposed to water contaminated with urine of dogs, cats or rodents infected and orally. The main symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, jaundice, kidney failure and bleeding, so it is usual to be confused with dengue. It is benign in 90% of cases, but can damage the liver, heart or lungs so fatal.
Moreover, the report of the Diresa, 2502 acute respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases 1103 were recorded so far in April. There were 2,300 more medical care.
The standing water has become a breeding ground for the dreaded dengue mosquitoes that triggered the epidemic of the disease. Because of this situation, the medical services of the city have collapsed and care for patients in tents.
WASTEWATER
In some areas of this city, the collapse of drain and sewer system has also caused flooding in the streets of Putumayo, with Navarro Pevas Cauper, Calvo de Araujo, Santa Rosa and Manco Capac, among other locations Punchana district, where the stagnation of sewage odors emanating unbearable for residents.
The Head of Environmental Health Diresa Elvis Sandoval said that chemicals are being used to minimize risk and eliminate bacteria and parasites in these places.
He warned that as you lower the magnitude of the rising of the rivers, the wastewater will go down, but will leave pathogens that could cause damage to the nearest town. "We empadronando to victims, giving chlorine to disinfect water. Solid waste and cleanse the affected area fumigaremos" said Sandoval.
WHAT WILL BE NEXT?
The Loreto Senamhi discloses that the Amazon River, which reached 118.92 yesterday meters above sea level, the highest in its history, show fluctuations from one to two inches through mid-May, then go down.
Then, the authorities and the population will face a new problem, that of the dry season (lowest level of the river). You will have to work hard in the prevention of other diseases.
The local Diresa warned that conditions will be conducive to the spread of stomach illness, respiratory, dengue, malaria, leptospirosis and hantavirus. So it is important to prevention work, he said.
"This weekend will begin cleaning, we turn health surveillance in the health centers because we are on alert for the temperature change," noted the President of the Regional Government of Loreto, Yv?n V?squez Valera.
Just arrived from Spain a third contingent of aid to Iquitos. Other international organizations (World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, UNICEF, etc.) have also extended their help.
Currently the regional government is processing the seed procurement to deliver about 300 tons in the whole region, and thus recover the crops of rice, maize and beans that were lost by the flooding. ❧
Keys
The 114 temporary shelters have reached the top, providing assistance to 14,347 people. The rains have left 191,165 homeless and 71,775 affected. 50 000 children attend classes.
UNICEF has asked for support for 80,000 children affected.
