Amebiasis outbreak reported in northeastern Venezuela

Omar Aray, director of the Anzoatiguense Health Institute (Saludanz), said that more than 300 people, mostly children, have entered several health centers in the metropolitan area of Anzoátegui state, presenting symptoms of fever, vomiting and diarrhea, according to a Cronica Uno report (computer translated).

Aray said that in the last five days, about 380 people, mostly children, have presented with symptoms of amebiasis in Sotillo, Bolivar and Urbaneja municipalities. Many cases have been confirmed as amebiasis.

“We believe that there is a common origin because the cases are appearing progressively in each of the municipalities, this may be attributable to the consumption of unfit water.” said Aray.

Amebiasis is a disease caused by the parasite Entamoeba histolytica. It can affect anyone, although it is more common in people who live in tropical areas with poor sanitary conditions.

People mostly get infected with the parasite from ingestion of fecally contaminated food and water containing the amebic cysts.

Vaccine-preventable diseases in Venezuela: A growing public health crisis that threatens the entire region

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about 10% to 20% of people who are infected with E. histolytica become sick from the infection. Of those who do become sick, symptoms may include stomach pain, bloody stools (poop), and fever. Rarely, E. histolytica invades the liver and forms an abscess (a collection of pus). In a small number of instances, it has been shown to spread to other parts of the body, such as the lungs or brain, but this is very uncommon.

The Parasitology interviews, Part 1

The Parasitology interviews, Part 2

The Parasitology interviews, Part 3