Cólera en Colombia. Descripción de algunos aspectos epidemiológicos a un año de diagnosticado el primer caso

Abstract

This paper describes some of the epidemiological findings on cholera in Colombia one year after the first case observed in Tumaco (Nariño) southern region of the country. It is important to note that such findings shuld not be considered definitive, as in some areas the epidemic is still on the increase. Between March 10, 1991 and March 20, 1992, 17.673 cases were reported, 95% of which ocurred in the costal departments where 49% of the colombian population live. In Colombia, the disease spread along 3 routes: the Cauca and the Magdalena rivers and the sea. Some isolated cases have also been described in areas where cholera is not a public health problem and generally due to the consumtion of Vibrio cholerae in an epidemic zone. The disease in Colombia, until March 1992, has follows the pattern described in other outbreaks with both, males and females, and all age groups affected.