Limited scope grant agreement between the United States of America acting through the Regional Office for Central American Programs (ROCAP) on behalf of the Agency for International Development (AID) and the Institute of Nutrition for Central America and Panama (INCAP)

The grant is part of a multidonor effort to prevent the current cholera epidemic from spreading to the region. Cholera surveillance will involve four activities: (1) establishment of bacteriology laboratories (at least one per country) with basic equipment and resources to diagnose Vibrio cholerae; (2) training of laboratory personnel (10 from each country) in the diagnosis of V. cholerae; (3) regional cooperation in surveillance of V. cholerae infections in high-risk populations; and (4) laboratory analysis to guarantee that adequate quality oral rehydration salts are available during epidemics. Training will be provided in such areas as: (1) food handling and follow-up of cases and contacts of cholera and acute diarrhea; (2) logistics for provision of inputs (ORS, antibiotics, etc.) to local health services; (3) education techniques for clinic users and other groups; (4) obtaining and sending of samples for laboratory analysis; and (5) clinical and epidemiological aspects of cholera.