The Sanitation of Guayaquil

Malaria in Highlands of Ecuador since 1900

“…Although malaria was prevalent on the coast of Ecuador at the beginning of the 20th century, it was considered by public health officials to be a minor problem ( 6 ). 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.…”

“…In 1919, many physicians in Ecuador began to receive training in foreign countries, particularly in the United States through grants from the Rockefeller Foundation, in an attempt to eliminate yellow fever and malaria from Ecuador ( 6 , 8 , 12 ). With the elimination of yellow fever in 1920, attention inevitably turned to malaria, which still accounted for a large percentage of deaths on the coast of Ecuador ( 13 ).…”