Informative Note to the Population (English version)

Informative Note to the Population

 The Public Health Ministry reports that starting on Sunday, January 6, the epidemiological monitoring system detected an increase in severe diarrheal illnesses in the municipality of Cerro, and later in other municipalities in the capital.  A number of these patients presented symptoms and signs that pointed etiologically to suspected cholera, which triggered the activation of a previously designed anti-cholera plan, for the completion of which all necessary measures and resources are at our disposal.

 The microbiological analysis performed by the "Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine" determined that the causal agent was the enterotoxigenic bacteria Vibrio Cholerae O1 Tor, serotype Ogawa, with 51 cases confirmed to date.

According to the epidemiological evaluations performed, the transmission occurred through a food vendor who was an asymptomatic carrier of the illness, acquired during previously reported outbreaks in other parts of the country.

As a result of the measures adopted, the transmission is currently in the phase of extinction.  This has been possible, primarily, due to the permanent vigilance and response capacity of our health system.

 Once again, the need to intensify hygienic measures is repeated, especially those related to hand washing, the ingestion of chlorinated water, adequate cleaning and cooking of foods, all essential aspects of proper health care.