3. - usaid

ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY !rHE Ue S, GuvEMmn
Upon the request of the rJIinister of Public Health for assistance, an
entomologist and virologist were went to Ecuador fram the N'atianal
cable Disease Center (NCDC) at Atlanta, Georgia to conduct an antibody
study. Their assessment resulted in the American Ambassador declaring
on May 6 that a disaster existed and the authorization of AID contingency
mds to help the Government of Ecuador brmg tne epidemic under control.
A tNrd NCDC specialist, a virologist, arrived in Ecuador May 9 to give
further technical aid,
Guayaquil prior to aircraft dropping to altitude o:C 150
feet for spraying purposes.
Follawing the preliminary planning by U. S. and Ecuadorian officials, AID/W
approved expenditures in excess of the Ambassador's $25,000 authority to
assist the GOE in an expanded aerial spray program. The Amlsassador recommended
imnediate deployment of two EAF spray aircraft and the purchase of
90 drums (55,000 gallons) of ultra low volume chemicals (ma:Lathion) to
cover from 225,000 to 260,000 acres. An additional ten barrels were
needed and were rented fkvnn a local distributor for later replacement
through purchase from the U. S. by AID/W.
AIDDRC a-d with the Department of Defense for the necessary personnel,
aircraft, equipment and supplies; for the purchase of the moathion from a
camexvial source; and forthe doctors from NCDC. The U. S, Air Force dispatched
a fouwmn survey team to the disaster area May 13 to prepare for
deployment of the aircraft. @I May 14, two Air Force UG12:3 spray planes
left Langlev Air Force Base for Guayaquil. The 90 drums of malathion were