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El Salvador

El Salvador: Sickness and dengue taunts El Salvador's young

Salvadorian children are not only suffering from dengue, but increasing cases of vomiting and diarrhoea. Health authorities are carrying out studies to confirm whether the Rotavirus (a virus that remains in water and air) is causing the sickness.
According to data handled by the children's hospital Benjamin Bloom, approximately 30 to 40 cases of children suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea arise daily. Rotavirus, which causes rapid dehydration, affects very young children and may result in death.

There have been no reported cases of Rotavirus in projects assisted by World Vision. However, the 33 promoters and 400 health volunteers in the projects are on alert.

In coordination with the Ministry of Health, World Vision's medical team has trained health promoters and volunteers to recognise the signs and symptoms of a person suffering from dehydration. They have been instructed to treat cases of diarrhoea with oral rehydration salts, located within the 200 community medicine cabinets located in all projects.