The Triple Outbreak in Ecuador: Between Syndemic and Infodemic
Abstract
Simultaneous outbreaks of pertussis, yellow fever, and leptospirosis in rural and Amazonian areas of Ecuador exposed a critical interplay of structural and health-related factors. Low vaccination coverage, lack of basic services, poverty, child malnutrition, and weak epidemiological surveillance contributed to increased disease burden. These events, intensified by an infodemic characterized by misinformation and public alarm, formed a syndemic with disproportionate effects on vulnerable populations. In response, integrated actions are urgently needed to strengthen primary healthcare, deliver context-sensitive health communication, and ensure access to essential living conditions as fundamental components of public health preparedness.
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