Peru- Leptospirosis 2012

[Tonka]

http://www.rpp.com.pe/2011-11-16-iquitos-confirman-muerte-de-nina-a-causa-de-lectopirosis-noticia_422949.html

Spanish to English translation

Iquitos: girl confirmed dead due to Leptospirosis
Wednesday, November 16, 2011 | 4:03 pm

The Director of Support Hospital Iquitos, Torrej?n Cyrus said that two others are under observation as reported symptoms similar to the deceased.
The Director of Support Hospital Iquitos ( Loreto ), Ciro Torrej?n, confirmed that a girl died from leptospirosis, a disease similar to Hantavirus, but not by a virus, is transmitted through a bacteria, said the doctor.

She studied at the school located in Red Square district of San Juan, a few miles from downtown Iquitos.

Torrejon said there are two patients under observation because they show a symptomatology similar to that presented by the girl died.

The doctor asked the public that when you feel symptoms such as headache, body aches and bleeding of the gums, go immediately to the nearest hospital.

[Tonka]

Re: Peru-Iquitos: girl confirmed dead due to Leptospirosis

http://proycontra.com.pe/2012/04/25/aumentan-casos-de-leptospirosis/

Spanish-English translation


Written on APRIL 25, 2012 AT 6:31 A.M. by ADMIN

Increasing cases of Leptospirosis


Christian Carey
As a result of floods have served 2,300 people in hospitals. Most respiratory infections and diarrhea.

The regional directorate of Health will begin the work of coordination with various sectors to take actions that are post flood. The sub regional director of Health, Christian Carey said the increase in people with probable cases of leptospirosis is related to the flood stage. Last year the figure was 146 probable cases against the 260 that have been recorded so far this year. The 2011 was confirmed 48 cases and this year the figure is 36 and the death of a child.

So far this year the direction of Loreto Regional Health confirmed the death of a child under 9 years of leptospirosis. From January to date there have been 260 probable cases, of which 36 have been confirmed.

Given the increase in leptospirosis cases the regional health officials alerted the health centers in the region to take action to prevent an outbreak of infection.

Christian Carey said that the floods have contributed to the increase in cases of leptospirosis, an infection caused by bacteria present in the urine of animals that come into contact with humans infect it ends.

Leptospirosis infects humans through open wounds exposed to water contaminated with urine of dogs, cats or rodents infected and orally. The main symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, yellowing of the skin, kidney failure and bleeding, so it is usual to be confused with dengue. It is benign in 90% of cases, but can damage the liver, heart or lungs so fatal.

For the expert epidemiologist, Carlos Alvarez, the increase in cases of leptospirosis is caused by the negligence of the people affected by flooding. "Parents caught in polluted waters. Let your children swim in contaminated water. They wash their clothes and even cooking with contaminated water, and in each of these situations are exposed to the bacteria leptospira, "Alvarez said.

The last outbreak of leptospirosis was recorded in Loreto in 2004, when three children died and 59 people were infected by consuming contaminated water from a creek.

The Diresa-Loreto reported that maintaining the regional epidemol?gica alert to the potential risk of acute diarrheal diseases, acute respiratory infections, dengue fever, food poisoning, snake bite (snake bites) and leptospirosis as a result of flooding.

The alert also considers that a risk of cholera for contaminated water and food before the collapse of water and sewer system in areas affected by the floods, as well as hantavirus by the invasion of rodents in urban areas in search of refuge.

[Tonka]

Re: Peru- Leptospirosis 2012

http://www.larepublica.pe/26-04-2012/iquitos-en-emergencia-inundaciones-provocan-brote-de-leptospirosis-que-cobro-su-tercera-victima-mort

Spanish-English translation

The epidemic is not stopped.
Iquitos in emergency: Floods leptospirosis outbreak, which claimed its third fatality
Thursday, April 26, 2012 | 5:00 a.m.

Several areas of Iquitos are overwhelmed by the rivers. No flood lived for decades.

That terrible disease killed two men (32 and 64). A few days ago a child died because of disease that is spread by contact with contaminated water and urine of animals. People begged for help.
Rosa Cardenas. Iquitos.


The drama of Sonia Rodriguez Chilicahua just beginning. The winding Amazonian waters destroyed several of their humble belongings and threatens to topple his house. However, she and her three young children are reluctant to leave, even though they are caught in the vast swamp formed by the elements. This phenomenon has caused devastating damage in several towns of Loreto as New Versailles, 24 September and Amazon, Punchana district in the province of Maynas.


Like Sonia, many people have preferred to stay home and not go to shelters because they fear being victims of thieves. But the danger of drowning in this area is much larger, and acquire some deadly disease product of water pollution.


"My baby has several skin diseases. His siblings have fever, bronchial and stomach ailments," says Ms. Rodriguez.


Flood waters can not be consumed. Therefore, this vital fluid has become its main shortcoming. "Before vert?amos chlorine to water, but not now, because we have no money to buy the disinfectant. Today life is not easy," complains Sonia to misfortune.


So far there are over 70 thousand people affected by floods in Loreto, while the number of victims borders on 200 000. The rains also have left four dead.


TRACKS EPIDEMIC


The situation of emergency in Loreto is aggravated by the outbreak of epidemics, many of them fatal. Yesterday he confirmed the deaths of two more deaths by the dreaded leptospirosis. The first was a man of 64 who came from Nauta, his death occurred last Sunday, according to the deputy director of the Regional Health Directorate of Loreto, Christian Carey.

Third person died yesterday, aged 32, said the regional president Ivan Vasquez. A few days ago also killed a 9 years because of terrible evil. Little presented the same symptoms mentioned above. So far there have been 260 probable cases of leptospirosis -120 more than last year, of which 36 have already been confirmed.


How do you catch this deadly evil? Leptospirosis infects humans through open wounds exposed to water contaminated with urine of dogs, cats or rodents infected and orally. The main symptoms are fever, headache, muscle aches, jaundice, kidney failure and bleeding, so it is usual to be confused with dengue. It is benign in 90% of cases, but can damage the liver, heart or lungs so fatal.


Moreover, the report of the Diresa, 2502 acute respiratory infections and diarrheal diseases 1103 were recorded so far in April. There were 2,300 more medical care.


The standing water has become a breeding ground for the dreaded dengue mosquitoes that triggered the epidemic of the disease. Because of this situation, the medical services of the city have collapsed and care for patients in tents.


WASTEWATER


In some areas of this city, the collapse of drain and sewer system has also caused flooding in the streets of Putumayo, with Navarro Pevas Cauper, Calvo de Araujo, Santa Rosa and Manco Capac, among other locations Punchana district, where the stagnation of sewage odors emanating unbearable for residents.


The Head of Environmental Health Diresa Elvis Sandoval said that chemicals are being used to minimize risk and eliminate bacteria and parasites in these places.


He warned that as you lower the magnitude of the rising of the rivers, the wastewater will go down, but will leave pathogens that could cause damage to the nearest town. "We empadronando to victims, giving chlorine to disinfect water. Solid waste and cleanse the affected area fumigaremos" said Sandoval.


WHAT WILL BE NEXT?


The Loreto Senamhi discloses that the Amazon River, which reached 118.92 yesterday meters above sea level, the highest in its history, show fluctuations from one to two inches through mid-May, then go down.


Then, the authorities and the population will face a new problem, that of the dry season (lowest level of the river). You will have to work hard in the prevention of other diseases.


The local Diresa warned that conditions will be conducive to the spread of stomach illness, respiratory, dengue, malaria, leptospirosis and hantavirus. So it is important to prevention work, he said.


"This weekend will begin cleaning, we turn health surveillance in the health centers because we are on alert for the temperature change," noted the President of the Regional Government of Loreto, Yv?n V?squez Valera.


Just arrived from Spain a third contingent of aid to Iquitos. Other international organizations (World Health Organization, Pan American Health Organization, UNICEF, etc.) have also extended their help.


Currently the regional government is processing the seed procurement to deliver about 300 tons in the whole region, and thus recover the crops of rice, maize and beans that were lost by the flooding. ❧



Keys



The 114 temporary shelters have reached the top, providing assistance to 14,347 people. The rains have left 191,165 homeless and 71,775 affected. 50 000 children attend classes.



UNICEF has asked for support for 80,000 children affected.

[Shiloh]

Re: Peru- Leptospirosis 2012

US CDC has issued a travel warning...
Source: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/...is-in-peru.htm

Outbreak Notice
Leptospirosis in Peru

This information is current as of today, May 11, 2012 at 12:11 EDT

Released: May 11, 2012
What Is the Current Situation?

Flooding has caused an outbreak of leptospirosis in Peru, especially in the Loreto region. This is the worst flooding seen in this area for over 20 years. Peru has reported more than 300 cases and 3 deaths associated with leptospirosis thus far in 2012. Health authorities have alerted people to take precautions against the infection...