OCHA Situation Report No. 1
El Salvador - Dengue Outbreak
19 June 2002


Source:  www.paho.org/english/ped/dengue_elsalvador.htm

Situation

1.  On 14 June, the Government of El Salvador declared the state of
emergency and general calamity due to the increased number of dengue cases
in the departments of Cabanas, Libertad, Santa Ana and San Salvador. The
yellow alert is in force in the rest of the country.

2.  The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) reports that 1,301
cases have been confirmed by laboratory diagnosis.  Children between the
age of 5 and 9 years are the most affected. To date, 6 children have died,
4 of whom are confirmed to have contracted the disease, and 2 of whom are
still being studied. For additional information please see PAHO website
at: www.paho.org/disasters/


National Response

3.  Activities aimed at controlling the spread of the dengue, such as day
and night sprayings, are being carried out by the army. Brigades from
schools, universities and communities are helping with the mechanical
destruction of larva breeding sites. The Government is coordinating with
the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the National police and
representatives of municipalities.

4.  The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) reports that the Ministry
of Education has given instructions to the schools to support the efforts
against the dengue. Radios and television networks are transmitting spots
with preventive messages.


International Response

5.  The Government of Mexico has dispatched to El Salvador a sanitation
brigade (3 experts and 7 vehicles equipped with sprinkling pumps).

6.  The PAHO/WHO Representative Office in El Salvador has offered public
educational information material on the disease and how to combat it.
PAHO/WHO moreover is supporting the purchase of the larvicide and is
coordinating with the Mexican experts.


Appeal for International Assistance

7.  The health authorities have issued formally an appeal to the
international community for the amount of approx. USD 1.4 million.  It
includes the purchase of spraying/fumigating equipment (approx. USD
500,000), insecticides for adult and larvae mosquitoes (USD 400,000) and
production of educational material (approx. USD 400,000).

8.  PAHO/WHO is willing to receive and account for donations on behalf of
the Ministry of Health. Interested donors to contact: Pan American Health
Organization Emergency Preparedness Program: Direct Phone (202) 974-3520,
Fax (202) 775-4578, E-mail: disaster@paho.org

9.  This Situation Report and further information on ongoing emergencies
are also available on the OCHA website at http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-91712 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23
E-mail: ochagva@un.org

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:
  Mr. Erik Haegglund, direct Tel. +41-22-917 32 99
  Ms. Masayo Kondo, direct Tel. +41-22-917 19 97

Press contact:
  (GVA)  Ms. Elizabeth Byrs, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 56
  (NYC)  Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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