Cólera em Fortaleza: 1992 a 1995

Abstract

The seventh cholerae pandemic reached South America, coming from Peru, in January 1991. Soon after, it reached all neighbors countries, including Brazil. It was one of the worst Public Health próblem in this century. This dissertation describes the cases of cholerae in Fortaleza from 1992 to 1995, theirs causes, distribution and control, during and after the epidemics. The data were from epidemiological records from Health Units. The fírst case from Fortaleza occurred in April 1992. The epidemics lasted three years, with two great peaks. The fírst one was from March to June 1993, when there was irregular public water supply for the Municipality, because of drying station in the previous years. The second peak occurred from November, 1993 to February, 1994, when the public water supplied to Fortaleza was too much salty. The salty water was responsible for the populations use of other water supplies, such as water-hole and well and for the inadequate way of storing it. Adults got sick in greater number. The diagnostic was made through laboratory findings in the fírst year and than through epidemiological and clinicai criteria. So, when the number of notified cases increased, the dimension of the epidemics could be inferred. The water quantity and quality at each district, as well as economic and social factors, were responsible for the geographical distribution of the cases. There was high mortality in 1992 (3,4%). In the following years it decreased to 0,5% in 1993 to 0,3% in 1994. It was because of professionals training and institution of Cholerae Treatment Units Monitoring diarrhea diseases is been done since 1994 to detect and control epidemics early. Culture offeces samples collected by swabs from patients gone to selectec Health Units was done to assure that Vibrio cholerae was not circulating.