[P41-5] CHAGAS DISEASE IN EL SALVADOR, A REPORT FROM 2018 DATABASE
Keywords:Chagas disease, mother-to-child transmission, El Salvador
【Background】Chagas disease in El Salvador remains one of the most prevalent but neglected diseases, affecting predominantly populations living in poverty. In four Salvadoran municipalities it has been estimated that the overall incidence of mother-to-child transmission of the disease is 0.14 (per 100 person-years). Chronic form of the disease is the more frequent presentation at the moment of diagnosis. Manifestations vary from asymptomatic to life-threatening cardiac conduction abnormalities and/or severe heart failure.【Objective】To address the demographic data from El Salvador’s suspected chronic Chagas disease 2018 database【Methods】Data obtained from the Ministry of Health of El Salvador regarding physician’s reports of newly suspected chronic Chagas disease was processed to obtain demographic information.【Results】1,052 cases were reported in 2018, among which 10 cases were patients 15 years old or younger. 80.3% of female cases were in reproductive age although only two pregnant women were reported. The most affected regions were Nueva Esparta and Jucuapa with reported prevalences of 10.4 and 9.8 cases per 10,000 habitants, respectively【Conclusion】Chronic Chagas disease still remains to be highly prevalent in El Salvador. Its current propagation among the reproductive and economic productive population is resulting in serious socioeconomic impact to the country.