The Sanitation of Guayaquil

An ecosystemic approach to evaluating ecological, socioeconomic and group dynamics affecting the prevalence of Aedes aegypti in two Colombian towns

“…In the case of the latter, the community has been placed at the center, as a full time partner in the construction of programs for disease prevention and vector control 29 , but as the same time it has become a policy token to legitimate and validate health interventions 30,31 .…”

Malaria in Highlands of Ecuador since 1900

“…Until 1908, Guayaquil on the coast of Ecuador was affected by the constant menace of mosquitoes transmitting yellow fever, and flea-borne bubonic plague reoccurred regularly in all areas of the city and surrounding countryside ( 6 – 8 ). Because Guayaquil had an image of being an unhealthy major port city, officials in Ecuador signed an international sanitation convention in 1906 to combat outbreaks of yellow fever, bubonic plague, and cholera ( 9 ).…”

“…Under terms of the convention, officials were to take measures to prevent ongoing transmission of these diseases, including the use of mosquito screens on windows and doors of hospitals ( 9 ). During that time, officials also experimented with the use of mosquito larvae–eating fish as a biocontrol method in an attempt to control yellow fever ( 8 ). …”

“…In 1908, the public health movement became active in Ecuador, and a special sanitary commission was formed in Guayaquil ( 7 , 8 ). At that time, malaria was still considered a minor health problem and many residents allowed mosquitoes to bite them to provide them with long-term immunity to malaria ( 10 ).…”

“…At that time, malaria was still considered a minor health problem and many residents allowed mosquitoes to bite them to provide them with long-term immunity to malaria ( 10 ). Malaria prevention measures included bed nets, window and door screens, and anopheline larval habitat destruction ( 8 , 10 ). Several medical entomologists became active during this period in Ecuador.…”