Central America: The following outbreaks of viral hemorrhagic conjunctivitis are still active:
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Guatemala: To 29 September 2003, there have been 2,269 cases in 18 health districts. The national incidence rate is 18 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and the trend is still rising. The health districts with the greatest number of cases are Izabal (247), Petén Suroriente (200) Chiquimula (77), Santa Rosa (34), Petén Norte (30), San Marcos (23) and Escuintla (18). The illness is primarily affecting persons over the age of five.
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El Salvador: To 30 September 2003, the health districts most affected continue to be El Centro (84), Santa Ana (52) and Nueva Concepción (52). The age group most affected is from 20 to 59 years; and regarding gender, the cumulative number of cases reported among women is higher than among men
Sources:
- Boletín epidemiológico de Guatemala (Epidemiological Bulletin of Guatemala) No. 38, 2003.
- Boletín epidemiológico de El Salvador (Epidemiological Bulletin of El Salvador), 30 September 2003.
Mexico: The conjunctivitis outbreak has affected 32 states. To 26 September 2003, 67,513 cases of conjunctivitis were reported. The three states with the highest number of cases are Campeche (14,309), Quintana Roo (11,169), and Tabasco (11,092).
Source: Boletín epidemiológico de México (Epidemiological Bulletin of Mexico), No. 38, 2003.