Case control study of a cholera outbreak in Guyana - abstract

ABSTRACT

An outbreak of cholera occurred, beginning November 3, 1992 in Region 1 in the northwest of Guyana, initially centred around the town of Mabaruma. By November 17, 1992, 168 cases had occurred with 38 admissions and three deaths. The majority of cases were > 5 yrs. old with many of the most seriously affected being aged > 25 yrs. To determine likely means of transmission, an unmatched case-control study of 33 cases and 25 hospital-based controls was rapidly conducted. The main results for different exposures and protective factors are summarized in the Table given. These findings confirmed previous suspicions and were used to develop specific preventive messages for the preparation of food and use of water for drinking (AU)