Description of the situation
12 January 1998
Disease Outbreak Reported
The Ministry of Health has reported 33 cases of cholera (12 confirmed) which have occurred since the last week of December 1997. The districts most affected are Ayllo Solor, San Pedro de Atacama and Sequitor in the north of the country (Antofagasta Region). These rural districts are close to the border with Bolivia. Argentina, Bolivia and Peru have been notified of the cases.
The Ministry of Health has informed WHO that the following measures are being implemented: reactivation of the Cholera Coordinating Committee, health education on food safety, water treatment, environmental sanitation, outbreak investigation and reinforcement of epidemiological surveillance systems. Chile last reported cholera in 1998 when one imported case occurred, in 1994 when 1 case only occurred and in 1993 when 32 cases were reported.