Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Portoviejo (Agenzia Fides) - Ecuador declares chikungunya ‘state of emergency’, an infectious disease transmitted by the insect vector of dengue hemorrhagic fever. According to the latest data released by the local Ministry of Health, 711 cases were registered in the province of Manabi; including 475 in the city of Manta, 168 in Portoviejo and the remaining in Montecristi, Santa Ana, Paján, Sucre, 24 de Mayo and Pichincha. Manta is particularly affected because of the lack of basic health services, while Portoviejo for high temperature climates. Due to the recent rains, the situation is getting worse.
According to other data released by the health authorities, until last March 30 the province of Esmeraldas registered the highest number of cases, with over 500 indigenous cases and 15 cases in other provinces. In Los Ríos, until 8 April, there were 56 cases. Meanwhile there is alert in the parish of Barreiro, in the canton of Babahoyo, province of Los Ríos, where the streets have been flooded for a week. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 17/04/2015)
