Between 1 January and 31 July 1992 a cholera epidemic caused 548 reported cases in Riohacha (population 68,000), Colombia.
| Title | Waterborne cholera in Riohacha, Colombia, 1992 |
| Publication Type | Journal Article |
| Year of Publication | 1993 |
| Authors | Cardenas, V, Saad, C, Varona, M, Linero, M |
| Pagination | p. 313-330: 3 fig., 7 tab. |
| Date Published | 1993-01-01 |
| Keywords | boiling, campaigns, case studies, chlorination, cholera, colombia la guajira department riohacha, diarrhoeal diseases, epidemics, health education, piped distribution, surveys, urban areas, water pollution |
| Abstract | Between 1 January and 31 July 1992 a cholera epidemic caused 548 reported cases in Riohacha (population 68,000), Colombia. A cross-sectional household survey found an increased level of cholera among people who usually drank unchlorinated piped water from the municipal water system, as well as an increased risk of acute diarrhoeal disease in the 2 weeks preceding the survey interview among these same people. The survey also revealed that the health education campaign conducted during the epidemic significantly increased public awareness of oral rehydration salts' effectiveness in treating cholera. A case-control study also revealed an association between cholera and drinking unboiled tap water. In addition there was an association between cholera and limited availability of water within the household. The findings suggest that most of the Riohacha cholera cases were transmitted by contaminated municipal water, a conclusion supported by descriptive evidence of problems affecting Riohacha's municipal water and sewerage systems. |
| Notes | 28 ref. |
| Custom 1 | 245.11, 827 |
