Epidemic of cholera among the aborigines of northern Argentina.
In February 1992, an epidemic of cholera began in Argentina. The first known case appeared in an aborigine population living by the Pilcomayo river on the Bolivian border. By the end of that year, 551 cases and 15 deaths were reported to the health authorities. Epidemiological analysis helped identify the pattern of transmission of the disease in this region of South America. Polluted watercourses and little pools, formed after the rainy season, were identified as the single source of infection for subsequent cases. Then, the epidemic adopted a person-to-person pattern of transmission and was propagated over a long course with weekly occurrence. Anthropological, cultural, and other factors that contributed to the origin and spread of cholera in northern Argentina are described in this study.
Mazzafero
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Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Wyszynski
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DF
Marconi
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Giacomini
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H
D000328:Adult; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007199:Indians, South American; D008297:Male