Azuay Province has 12 confirmed cases of whooping cough; Pachakutik pulls back its endorsement of ADN; Cuenca Symphony Orchestra celebrates Mother’s Day

Twelve cases of whooping cough have been confirmed in Azuay Province, according to the Ministry of Health. In addition, one of the two yellow fever deaths in Ecuador occurred in the province although the victim contracted the disease in Morona Santiago Province before being transported to a Cuenca hospital.

In the Health Ministry’s Zone 6, which includes Azuay, Cañar and Morona Santiago Provinces, 32 cases of whooping cough have been confirmed, 18 of them in Morona Santiago and two in Cañar.

The Cuenca Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to Mothers in concerts Thursday and Friday.

Of the 12 Azuay cases, 11 were of children under the age of five, the ministry said. “This is the age group that is most vulnerable to the disease,” said Zone 6 epidemiologist Andrés Guncay. “About two-thirds of children have been vaccinated against pertussis so we are concentrating on vaccinating the rest.”

Although students are less susceptive to the disease than infants and toddlers, he said many of them have younger siblings at home. In addition, the ministry has launched a media campaign to urge parents of infants to have their children vaccinated.

Of the whooping cough cases in Azuay Province, Guncay says all those infected are receiving treatment and are expected to make a full recovery.

Guncay added that yellow fever is not a threat in Azuay and Cañar Provinces due to elevation. “This is only a threat at lower elevations, particularly in the Amazon and coastal areas. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits the disease, is not active above 1,200 to 1,500 meters.”

Pachakutik pulls back endorsement of ADN
The leadership of the Pachakutik party and the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities (Coanie) which sponsors it, are denying that Pachakutik has agreed to support President Daniel Noboa’s National Democratic Action party in the new National Assembly.

The denial follows announcements Tuesday by the government and seven Pachakutik assembly members that Pachakutik would join forces with ADN in the Assembly that takes its seats May 14. Among those criticizing the alliance was Conaie President Leonidas Iza, who called it a “betrayal of everything the indigenous movement stands for.”

On Wednesday, Verónica Albuja, president of the Pachakutik Ethics and Disciplinary Tribunal, said the announcement of support for ADN was “premature and unofficial,” and said discussions are underway with the nine Pachakutik Assembly members to establish legislative priorities. “There are very serious differences between our positions and those of the government and these will be thoroughly discussed before the Assembly convenes,” Albuja said.

In the presidential runoff election, Conaie supported Citizens Revolution candidate Luisa Gonazlez against Noboa.

Cuenca Orchestra performances celebrate Mother’s Day
The Cuenca Symphony Orchestra is presenting two Mother’s Day concerts, Thursday and Friday, at the Casa de la Cultura Theater. Both concerts are free and begin at 8 p.m.

The performances will include a repertoire that includes Latin American international works chosen to appeal and pay tribute to mothers. Among the short pieces to be presented are Blue Danube, by Johann Strauss II; Song of the Andes by Constantino Mendoza Moreira, arranged by Patricio Mora Yanza; Granada by Agustín Lara, arranged by Oliverio Payán Bilbao; and Piel Canela, by Bobby Capó.

Vocalists Verónica Tola and Diego Zamora will accompany the orchestra while Augusto Carrión Rodas conducts.