10-day Quarantine due to Measles Outbreak in Achuar Community (Kapawi, Ecuador)

A recent outbreak of Measles adds to the recent rabies problem that afflicts the Achuar communities.

A major outbreak of measles in Kapawi, province of Pastaza, forced authorities to declare a quarantine in the community living around 300 indigenous Achuar.

In addition to the  tragic deaths of 12 people from rabies (apparently caused by bat bites) in three specific Achuar communities, this new outbreak has local inhabitants most concerned.  Health authorities have put into place the quarantine of the community, which is to last 10 days (the time it takes to transmit the disease).

This measure of isolation was taken after there were six cases of Measles infection, of which two are adults and four are children. According to the local news source Televistazo is it known that two of the infected children were in another community, so there  is concern that the disease can affect other areas.

Health brigades depart daily to different communities, in order to vaccinate the entire surrounding population. The complex jungle setting, with no land routes of communication, combined with a dispersed population, increases the possibility that the disease could spread uncontrollably.

We have contacted Kapawi Lodge who informed us that operations at the lodge are running smoothly and everything normal – no changes in terms of tourism operations.  All staff have been vaccinated.

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