The detection of a new salmonellosis outbreak in Anzoátegui state was reported by health authorities this Saturday, August 14.
According to the information disseminated, in the epidemiological records of the Anzoatiguense Health Institute (Saludanz), the Bolívar municipality is the most affected with 538 cases diagnosed in Barcelona (262 in the El Carmen parish and 276 in the San Cristóbal parish), while in the Sotillo municipality 23 cases have been diagnosed, and 9 in Urbaneja. "All with positive antigen and clinical results of this pathology," reported the president of that health authority, Dr. Omar Aray.
He reported that the increase in cases has been registered for two months, and the most affected communities are Campo Claro, El Espejo, Las Casitas, Brisas del Mar, Rómulo Gallegos, El Viñedo and Mesones.
Aray pointed out that in addition to the large number of infections, two suspicious deaths from the disease were reported.
He commented that “specialists in epidemiology and in engineering and sanitary inspection, together with social visitors from Saludanz, activated actions to characterize the outbreak, make rapid water sampling in order to check the chlorination and presence of bacteria and other harmful components for the Health".
He also stated that brigades were organized to make house-to-house visits in order to deliver water treatment pills and offer health education.
In December 2020, the first salmonellosis outbreak was reported in the northern part of the state, with 240 infections in children and adults in the Bolívar municipality.
Salmonellosis is a type of food poisoning caused by the salmonella bacteria, which is transmitted through the consumption of contaminated food or water. It is characterized by fever, abdominal cramps, general malaise, diarrhea and dehydration.
