Following the massive outbreak of cholera in Peru in the summer of 1991, the Peruvian Ministry of Health conducted a detailed study of the city water supply systems of Trujillo on the Pacific coast and Iquitos in the Amazon\AB region.
| Title | The Peruvian cholera epidemic and the role of chlorination in its control and prevention |
| Publication Type | Conference Paper |
| Year of Publication | 1993 |
| Authors | Salazar-Lindo, E, Alegre, M, Rodriguez, M, Carrion, P, Razzeto, N |
| Pagination | P. 401-413: 2 fig., 3 tab. |
| Date Published | 1993-01-01 |
| Keywords | campaigns, chlorination, cholera, disease control, epidemics, peru iquitos, peru trujillo, piped distribution, urban areas |
| Abstract | Following the massive outbreak of cholera in Peru in the summer of 1991, the Peruvian Ministry of Health conducted a detailed study of the city water supply systems of Trujillo on the Pacific coast and Iquitos in the Amazon\AB region. At first the epidemic was suspected to be caused by consumption of raw sea food, but the explosive nature of the outbreak, particularly in urban areas, suggested contamination of drinking water. The evidence from\AB Trujillo and Iquitos reveals that in both cases the drinking water systems were not properly built, maintained and operated. Chlorination, if done at all, was offset by the contamination through leaks and clandestine\AB connections. The rapid dissemination of cholera was caused by a combination of factors such as poor personal and domestic hygiene and poor quality drinking water. Soon after the epidemic started the Ministry of Health launched\AB a campaign to promote in-home disinfection of drinking water. Improvement of the water supply and the quality of water (through chlorination) is still very much needed in Trujillo, Iquitos, and other Peruvian cities. |
| Notes | Includes references |
| Custom 1 | 245.11, 254.2, 827 |
