title: [Strategies for dealing with cholera disease. A public health perspective of the Chilean experience].
abstract: During the latest Latin American epidemic of cholera (1991), more than 70,000 cases were identified and over 6,000 deaths occurred. Cholera started in Peru and expanded to the rest of Latin American countries, including Chile. Compared to Peru, the epidemic in Chile had minor consequences due to the strategies adopted by the National System of Health Services, together with other public institutions. These strategies included the establishment of a National Committee for Cholera, strategic planning of health services, strengthening of epidemiologic surveillance systems and of clinical and environmental laboratories, education of the population, and preventive strategies, among others. Maintenance of environmental health measures and the population's collaboration are essential to avoid future emergence of this disease.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago, Chile. Facultad de Medicina. Hospital Clinico de la Universidad de Chile, Santiago. mtvalenzuela@uandes.cI
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Valenzuela B
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Salinas P
authors.forename: Marcela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cárcamo I
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cerda L
authors.forename: Gonzalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Valdivia C
mesh_terms: D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004777:Environment; D058872:Epidemics; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration; D006285:Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006298:Health Services Administration; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors