EPIDEMIC CHOLERA IN RURAL EL SALVADOR - RISK-FACTORS IN A REGION COVERED BY A CHOLERA PREVENTION CAMPAIGN

In response to the Latin American cholera epidemic, El Salvador began a prevention programme in April 1991. The first case was confirmed in August, and 700 cases were reported within 3 months. A matched case-co ntrol study was conducted in rural La Libertad Department in November 1991. Illness was associated with eating cold cooked or raw seafood (o dds ratio [OR] = 7.0; 95 % confidence limits [CL]= 1.4, 35.0) and with drinking water outside the home (OR = 8.8; 95 % CL = 1.7, 44.6). Asse rtion of knowledge about how to prevent cholera (OR = 0.2; 95 % CL = 0 .1, 0.8) and eating rice (OR = 0.2; 95 % CL = 0.1, 0.8) were protectiv e. More controls than patients regularly used soap (OR = 0.3; 95 % CL = 0.1, 1.0). This study demonstrated three important points for choler a prevention: (1) seafood should be eaten cooked and hot (2) populatio ns at risk should be taught to treat household drinking water and to a void drinking water outside the home unless it is known to be treated; and (3) education about hygiene can be an important, tool in preventi ng cholera.