Seroepidemiology of Chagas disease in Yacyretá-Apipé, Argentina
Borda, C.E.; Rea, M.J.
Boletin de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Pan American Sanitary Bureau 90(4): 311-325
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-0632 PMID: 6453599 Document Number: 175991
A hydro-electric dam is being constructed on the Rio Parana where it forms the frontier between Paraguay and Argentina. Various epidemiological aspects of Chagas' disease (caused by Trypanosoma cruzi) were studied in 3 areas affected by the construction of the dam: the new settlement of Ituzaingo on the mainland of Corrientes, Argentina, where new hygienic dwellings have been constructed and families have been rehoused; the island of Apipe Chico with an area of 20.8 km2 where 42 dwellings on high ground are inhabited by 134 persons who have to be evacuated periodically when the river floods the island; and the island of Apipe Grande of 266 km2 with 317 dwellings. On both islands, the standard of housing was poor. Surveys showed that Triatoma infestans (Klug) (the only vector of Trypanosoma cruzi in the region) was present in 12% of the houses in Ituzaingo and in all the houses examined on the 2 islands. Some 29% of the bugs collected on the islands were infected with T. cruzi; it was not possible to determine the percentage infection of the bugs collected in Ituzaingo. Blood samples taken from inhabitants of all 3 areas were tested and 35% from Ituzaingo, 46% from Apipe Grande and 51% from Apipe Chico were found to be positive. This is the first time that an endemic focus of Chagas' disease has been reported from the Upper Parana River, Argentina. The continuity of transmission has been favoured by the rehousing programme since the new inhabitants have clearly introduced Triatoma infestans into the new houses with their possessions.