Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - The government of El Salvador has declared as state of emergency in three national departments after 15 children died in outbreaks of dysentery. The number of cases continues to increase. Some 51, 255 cases have been reported since the beginning of January this year compared to 20,683 in the same period last year. In one week no less that 1,332 cases were reported in various health centres, compared to 724 last year. The disease is caused also by poor sanitation and lack of safe water in many urban and rural areas. To fight the disease the El Salvador health ministry has advised people not to rely on home-made remedies, to take strict hygienic measures and drink plenty of fluid.
Another country at risk is Guatemala, where three children have died of the disease this year. So far 227 cases have been confirmed among 523 reported suspect cases in children under 5. Two deaths were registered in the towns of Itzapa and Patzicía, in western Chimaltenango, the third was in north western district of Quiché. The districts affected by the virus are Chimaltenango, Quiché, Guatemala, Escuintla, Quetzaltenango, Huehuetenango, Baja Verapaz, Jutiapa and Sacatepéquez.
In Nicaragua, at least 14 people died of dysentery in the first five weeks of this year. The increase in cases of diarrhoea diseases is due mainly to the rotavirus, a type of virus whose genetic material is composed of ribonucleic acid (ARN). The virus produces infection causing vomiting, diarrhoea and acute dehydration. The rotavirus causes fever, vomiting, stomach pains, dehydration and coughing. These epidemics usually strike between November and March. In November last year 8 children died bambini and another 23 were infected in the town of Tecpán (Chimaltenango). (AP) (14/2/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:27; Parole:316)
