Consideraciones sobre el control de la diarrea infecciosa

Abstract

Methodology is adequate to reduce substantially the prevalence of diarrhea and associated infant mortality in areas of high endemicity. The success of such programs depends primarily upon managerial and technical resources. In areas of moderate endemicity where Shigella persists and sanitation facilities are adequate, further reductions in diarrheal diseases probably can be achieved through improvement in personal hygienic practices. In some instances the nature of misuse of facilities must be determined to develop or improve techniques for control. Where diarrheal diseases and associated infant mortality have been reduced substantially, the precise etiologic significance of pathogens, such as the enterpathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, associated with cases of diarrhea should be determined. The epidemiology of organisms incriminated as causal agents of diarrhea should be explored to the extent necessary for development of control measures. Much additional exploratory work is needed to assess adequately the role of viruses in diarrhea of both infants and adults and to develop control measures