Chile-OUTBREAKS OF TYPHOID FEVER IN THE WESTERN SECTOR OF RM - Irrigation Channels Blamed

[Tonka]

http://www.lanacion.cl/detectan-bro...ente-de-la-rm/noticias/2011-09-13/164712.html

Spanish to English translation

OUTBREAKS OF TYPHOID FEVER IN THE WESTERN SECTOR OF RM

There have been 7 cases, from the communes of Renca, Pudahuel and Quinta Normal. Maria Teresa Valenzuela, director of ISP, called for preventive measures to avoid spread of the disease that was in retreat from the '90s.
Tuesday September 13, 2011 | by Naci?n.cl

The director of the Institute of Public Health (ISP), Mar?a Teresa Valenzuela, said Tuesday that it detected a typhoid outbreak in the area west of the metropolitan area.
In this area we identified a total of 7 cases of the disease that was in retreat from the '90s , when there were 170 cases per year.
Dr Valenzuela said that 3 patients have been hospitalized in the Hospital San Juan de Dios - CDT , 2 in Davila Clinic , a clinic in Santa Maria , and 1 in the Hospital F?lix Bulnes, from the communes of Renca, Pudahuel and Fifth Normal.
ALERT
The alert was given by infectious disease specialists at the Hospital San Juan de Dios, who promptly addressed this unusual increase of cases in this period. The health team of San Juan de Dios Hospital, said that more than 10 years ago that did not receive medical center hospital admissions for this cause.
The director of the ISP warned that typhoid fever is an acute infectious disease caused by bacteria of the genus salmonella. "In most cases the infection is caused by drinking contaminated food: fruits and vegetables grown single soil and are irrigated with polluted water, " he said.
He noted that the disease is characterized by a febrile syndrome accompanied by severe headache, malaise, weakness, diarrhea, and in later stages, constipation .
Specialist explained that "the local laboratory diagnosis is made through culture of blood samples (blood), and through the cultivation of bowel movements (stool) samples to be taken before the start of antibiotic treatment. Once isolated the strain of salmonella, should be sent to the ISP, where is the confirmation by biochemical, serological and molecular studies, to characterize the circulating clones. "
PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Dr. Valenzuela was emphatic in saying that the most important is health education in the population, and reiterated the preventive measures to avoid illness
- Have complete control in food handling.
- Wash hands before eating.
- The vegetables should be eaten cooked.
- Fish and shellfish should not be consumed raw, should be boiled for at least ten minutes before consumption.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Chile-OUTBREAKS OF TYPHOID FEVER IN THE WESTERN SECTOR OF RM

Re: Chile-OUTBREAKS OF TYPHOID FEVER IN THE WESTERN SECTOR OF RM

I believe the author of this article has confused their terminology and the issue is Typhoid Fever not Typhus.

http://diario.latercera.com/2011/09...ego-por-aumento-de-casos-de-tifus-en-rm.shtml

Spanish to English translation

Oversee irrigation canals increase in cases of typhus (Typhiod) in RM

In the last eight weeks have confirmed 19 infections.

by Gabriela Sandoval P., Santiago



A sampling program of the main irrigation canals in the metropolitan region yesterday began the Institute of Public Health (ISP) and local health Seremi. The measure, which will run until November, aims to locate the source of the increase of typhoid fever recorded in the area.

As reported by the Director of ISP, Maria Teresa Valenzuela, in so far this year detected a total of 64 cases of typhus in the country, exceeding the national total last year, which reached 60 infections reported.

However, the focus of concern is on the Metropolitan Region, where in the last eight weeks, a total of 19 confirmed cases of typhus, which means a rise of 533% over the same period last year, when there were only reported three patients.

The infections also have focused on the area west of Santiago, mainly in the communes of Renca, Pudahuel and Quinta Normal.

This has led health authorities to trace the source of the bacteria in mobile sources such as irrigation canals, to justify the outbreak of the disease. "We want to investigate the waterways, because with this number of cases, can not think that is only a single source. Most likely there is a source that is spreading through the veggies, which can be sold at fairs or free places, "said Valenzuela.

Another enteric-like disease that is acquired by ingesting food contaminated with feces, which is on the rise is hepatitis A, according to statistics from the ISP, has now 520 cases in the country, a figure that equals the amount of infections that occurred throughout the year. "If at this point have all reported cases in 2010, should give us a warning. In the metropolitan area and carry 212 cases of hepatitis A, which corresponds to the total of reported cases in 2010," explained Valenzuela.

The Metropolitan Health SEREMI, Oyarce Rosa, explained that five different samples taken in the canals La Punta, Lo Espejo, Las Mercedes, San Jose, Hill and Calera. "It should also be in control of food handlers, which can carry disease, they are not manifesting the disease, however, can pass," said Oyarce.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Chile-OUTBREAKS OF TYPHOID FEVER IN THE WESTERN SECTOR OF RM - Irrigation Channels Blamed

http://vidayestilo.terra.cl/mujer/f...5418749d2a5d2310VgnVCM4000009bf154d0RCRD.html
Spanish to English translation

Typhoid fever increases and affects ages between 10 and 19
October 6, 2011 ? 7:01

26 increased the number of confirmed cases of Salmonella Typhi in the country, of which 20 are concentrated in the metropolitan area, while 50% of patients have had to be hospitalized.
Janepsy Diaz, Head (S), Department of Biomedical Laboratory of the Institute of Public Health, explains that the Salmonella typhi or typhoid fever is a bacterial enteric origin that is spread through contaminated food or water contaminated with feces.
"The most common type of infection is ingestion of food contaminated with feces, ie vegetables irrigated with sewage, and because the person who has the bacteria do not wash their hands after using the bathroom and then infects the when handling food, "says the professional.
The epidemiologist said that the Salmonella Typhi is not a risk group limited, which can occur in children, adults and youth. However, he adds that those most affected are people whose ages range between 10 and 19 years, which does not mean that the rest can not be sick.
"Nor have regard to sex, according to data we have here, the cases are concentrated in the area of ​​Quinta Normal, Pudahuel, Lo Prado, Quinta Normal, and Central Station. But it is getting the epidemiological investigation to determine its source, "said the doctor.
This disease presents with diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain can be prevented, provided you follow the instructions delivered by the Ministry of Health to prevent its spread.
-Wash hands with soap and water before eating, preparing food and after using the bathroom.
-Use and consume only water, and if not available, boiling.
-Wash fruits and vegetables under running water before eating not stagnant. Even you can add a few drops of chlorine for better hygiene.
-Eating fruits and vegetables well cooked, especially those that grow flush with the floor.
-Buying and eating only in authorized locations.
-Clean and sanitize utensils and kitchen surfaces that have been in contact with contaminated food.
-Keep refrigerated foods.

 

[Tonka]

Re: Chile-OUTBREAKS OF TYPHOID FEVER IN THE WESTERN SECTOR OF RM - Irrigation Channels Blamed

http://en.mercopress.com/2011/10/05...ike-of-typhoid-and-hepatitis-a-cases-in-chile

Irrigation channels blamed for spike of typhoid and hepatitis A cases in Chile

Last week Chile?s Institute of Public Health (ISP), together with Metropolitan Regional Health Secretary Rosa Oyarce, began taking samples from irrigation channels in western Santiago in relation to a recent upturn in cases of typhoid fever.

Health Secretary Rosa Oyarce called upon farmers to ensure irrigation is done with treated water

Since January, there have been 64 cases of typhoid reported in Chile, as opposed to only 60 throughout all of last year. There has been a particularly concerning spike in these numbers throughout the last eight weeks, when 19 cases were reported in Santiago alone, an increase of 533% from the same period last year....more from the source