[The cholera epidemic in Panama 1991].

The authors studied the epidemiology of the outbreak of cholera (due to Vibrio cholerae 01, Inabe serotype) which occurred in Panama in 1991, during which 1179 probable cases were reported, with 292 hospitalizations, 29 deaths and 51 confirmed cases. There was an average of 24.7% hospitalizations and a 2.5% mortality. The epidemic involved 21 of 24 "corregimientos' in Darién, 2 of 4 in San Blas, 5 of 15 in Panama East, 3 of 40 in Colón and one of 19 in the metropolitan area of Panama City. The incidence of infected patients was seen in infants less than 1 year old and in children 1 to 4 years of age. Taking into account the population in each 'corregimiento', it can be said that less than 1% of the population was infected, but that in San Blas, where few communities have aqueduct and latrines, 10% of the population was infected.