The São Paulo State Health Service (SES) reported that an outbreak of acute diarrheal disease and one death from the disease were recorded in the city of Americo Brasiliense, 280 km from São Paulo.
As of this Friday (14th), epidemiological data related to the disease in the municipality shows 2,111 infections and 1 death. The number of infections recorded in the last month has not been reported. This city has 33,000 inhabitants.
According to the ministry, tests conducted in October by the City Sanitation Surveillance Bureau confirmed the presence of coliform bacteria, a type of bacteria, in the city’s water. Samples taken in the municipality on October 21st showed water contamination with the following substances: Escherichia colican cause gastrointestinal illness.
On October 24, the city’s epidemiological survey reported a significant increase in cases of acute diarrhea and considered it an outbreak. The evaluation showed that disinfection using chlorine was flawed, changing the potability of public water.
According to the State Secretariat, city councils have been instructed to take immediate steps to instruct the public to prevent the spread of the disease through the application of sanitary measures and seeking medical assistance in the event of the eventual appearance of symptoms characteristic of the disease.
Until the water is completely potable, the municipality has received bottles of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite from the state and is distributing them to the population to ensure safe water consumption and enable recommended hygiene measures. As an emergency, 6,000 vials have already been released to municipalities.
According to the Ministry of Health, acute diarrheal diseases correspond to a group of gastrointestinal infections and are characterized by a syndrome of at least three episodes of acute diarrhea in a 24-hour period. The symptoms consist of decreased stool consistency and increased frequency of defecation, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain.
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