29 NOVEMBER 1997. PERU: DIARRHEA

Reuters reports that Peruvian doctors in a letter to the medical journal Lancet warned that high temperatures along the central and northern coasts of Peru had led to an increase in diarrhea among the young. "In Peru and neighboring countries affected by El Nino -- Chile, Ecuador and Colombia -- we anticipate an outbreak of diarrhea and dehydration in the coming months when the high seasonal temperatures will be exacerbated by the presence of El Nino," said the letter. They also expressed concern that coastal waters warmed by ENSO may lead to another cholera outbreak if people eat infected shellfish (see 26 November 1997.Peru: Cholera).

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