Abstract
ACCORDING to Dr. C. S. Vera, of Riobamba (Bol. Of. San. Panamer., 22, 875; 1943), a successful antiplague campaign was carried out in the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador, during August 1, 1942–July 21, 1943. The central office set up in Riobamba directed the activities of the groups organized in each section of the province. 'Cynogas' and flame-throwers were used in destroying rat nests, and a paste of arsenic and phosphorus was used in rat burrows. During the year 43,876 rats were trapped (rattus 13,730, alexandrius 10,322 and musculus 19,815), and almost complete extermination was accomplished in some areas. The spleens of 23,629 rats were examined, but only one (rattus) was positive. The incidence of plague in Chimborazo was as follows: 1939, 82 cases; 1940, 40 cases; 1941, 30 cases; 1942, 1 case, and in the first six months of 1943 nil.
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Anti-plague Campaign in Chimborazo. Nature 154, 50 (1944). https://doi.org/10.1038/154050c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/154050c0