Three additional cases of cholera were reported among Indians in
Brazil. This time, the Guajajara, who live in the Cana Brava Indian
Area, in the state of Maranhao, were the ones who were attached by
the disease. The Indians are in a hospital in the municipality of
Barra do Corda. No death was reported so far.
It seems that the Indians were contaminated with the Vibrio
comma bacterium in the waters of the Corda river, which flows near
their village. This river crosses the city of Barra do Corda, where
cholera has already killed four non-Indians and seventy other persons
caught the disease. The city has a population of about 25,000 and the
number of cases is growing, increasing the risk of contamination for
the Guajajara.
MEASLES
In the state of Amazonas, six Deni Indians died of measles in
the last few weeks. The outbreak of the disease also affected the
non-Indian population that lives along the Xeruc river banks. In the
first semester of this year, seventy Deni Indians died of the same
disease, which has already killed over 10% of the Indians under the
age of one. In 1990, the Deni population was 359 persons.
The health situation of this people deserves attention. Because
of the malnutrition that affects a considerable proportion of the
Deni, any disease spreads easily among the Indians. Last month alone,
eighteen Deni had malaria. The lack of assistance is another problem:
health professionals are seldom available to assist the community and
drugs are a rare product in their area.
PREDATORY FISHING ACTIVITIES
The Tikuna Indians make up another people that live in the state
of Amazonas, on the border between Brazil, Peru, and Colombia.
According to them, fishing boats have once again invaded the lakes
located in their lands to carry out illegal fishing activities there.
"Tons and tons" of fish are being removed from the waters of these
lakes and taken to Colombia, says Tikuna Indian Pedro Mendes.
According to this Tikuna Indian, because of these predatory
fishing activities, several fish species which until a few years ago
abounded in the region are becoming scarce. The fishing boats are
being funded by Colombian companies, which provide the equipment, the
fuel, and even the engines they use. The invasion may cause conflicts
between the Indians and the fishermen at any moment. The Brazilian
Constitution prohibits this type of activity in Indian areas.
Brasilia, Nombember 27th, 1992
CIMI - Indianist Missionary Council