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ECUADOR
~CI'ERISIZCS OF ?HE DISASTER
EVENT:
Encephalitis Epidemic
DATE-TIME: May 14.27, 1969
LOCATION:
Coastal Region of Ecuador
DISASTER VICTIMS: Deaths Hospitalized Cases
400 1,200 40,Cm
DESCRIPTION OF THE DISASTER
A serious epidemic of equine encephalitis occurred in the Playas area of
Ecuador affecting tms and villages of Guayas, Los Rlos, Bmeraldas,
Azuay, El Oro and Manabi Province. Equine encephalitis is a brain damaging
disease transmitted by mosquito to man ftm infected horses and mules.
There is a vaccine which can be applied to animals but none for human use.
Approximately 40,000 people and countless animdls cmtracted the disease.
Many of those stricken were under the age of five. ?his age group had most
of the fatalities which totaled about 400 since the first of the year.
Adults reportedly experienced fairly benign cases. ?he outbreak was the
worst experienced in Ecuador in several years.
ACTION TAKEN BY TH;E GOWXUWEMT OF
ECUADOR
The National Health Office of
Guayaquil under the direction of the
Ministry of Public Health, initiated
a spraying campaig? against mosquitos
using helicopters. At first this was
thought to be suff:tcient to arrest
the epidemic but public health
officials determined later that to
spray all the imneciiate areas of
emergency was beyond the capability
of the Govemtnent of Ecuador. Proper
spray aircraft wen? not available and
l&ge quantities oi?spray very expensive.
At this point the Minister of
Public Health asked the hrican
Ambassador for assj.stance frcan the
United States.