Electrical engineers in Ecuador are warning of potential blackouts in April, coinciding with the onset of the dry season. The lack of rainfall during this period could worsen the country’s existing energy deficit, which has not been fully addressed. Marco Acuña from the College of Electrical Engineers of Pichincha explained that while rainfall has helped hydroelectric plants like Coca Codo Sinclair maintain energy production, the dry season will reduce output from these plants. This could lead to an energy shortfall of up to 2,000 megawatts, exacerbating the crisis.

The country has yet to install the promised new thermal energy sources, such as the Progen project, with only 336 megawatts added from the Toachi Pilatón hydroelectric plant and power barges. This capacity is insufficient to meet demand during periods of low water flow, and ongoing maintenance issues could make matters worse.

To address the shortfall, the Advisory Council is recommending repairs to the thermoelectric park, which could add 500 megawatts to the grid. Additionally, Acuña pointed out that the Mazar reservoir, which is being conserved, can only provide energy for 30 days.

Source: EcuaVisa.

A few days ago, Arcsa discovered methanol in an alcoholic beverage, which, like cadmium, can be harmful to health.

The National Agency for Health Regulation, Control, and Surveillance (Arcsa) has issued a new health alert after detecting heavy metal contamination (cadmium) in batch 0020 of the product Cocoa 100% Soluble Ecuadorian Cocoa, manufactured by Fábrica BIOS Cía. Ltda.

In a statement released on the afternoon of January 27, the agency warned that consuming foods with high levels of cadmium can lead to serious health issues, such as severe stomach irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, and long-term damage to vital organs like bones, lungs, and kidneys. This can significantly impact the quality of life for those who consume it.

According to the tests conducted, this batch does not meet the standards set by the International Codex Alimentarius CXS 193-1995, as the cadmium content exceeds the allowed limits. As a result, Arcsa has ordered the immediate removal of batch 0020 from the market and suspended the company’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification.

Source: Expreso.

The annual influenza vaccination remains available until February 28, 2025, at public health centers nationwide.

The manufacturer has issued a warning about the counterfeit and illegal sale of a batch of tablets, which pose a health risk.

On January 20, 2025, the Regulatory Agency for Health Control (Arcsa) issued an alert regarding the counterfeit batch of Micardis Plus 80/12.50mg tablets, lot number 104077. The product was falsified and unlawfully sold in Ecuador.

Boehringer Ingelheim, the company behind the product, notified Arcsa about the counterfeit version of their medication. Upon investigation, it was discovered that the batch, originally intended for the Turkish market, had been smuggled into Ecuador in fake packaging.

Health Risks

"Since this is a counterfeit product, we cannot guarantee its authenticity or its contents," warned Arcsa. "We have no traceability of its distribution or information on its supply chain. Therefore, we cannot ensure its quality, safety, or effectiveness."

As a result, this counterfeit medicine poses a significant health risk to the public.

Arcsa's Recommendations

- Do not sell, distribute, or use the Micardis® Plus 80/12.50mg tablets, lot 104077.

- Only purchase products with a valid Health Registration and from authorized establishments.

- If you encounter or have information about the illegal sale of this batch, report it to Arcsa via email at control.posterior@controlsanitario.gob.ec or through the Arcsa Mobile app.

- Report any adverse events related to the use of this medication to farmaco.vigilancia@controlsanitario.gob.ec.

Due to maintenance on the Cruz Verde reserve tank, the potable water service in Cuenca has been temporarily interrupted.

To address this, ETAPA EP, the municipal water utility company, has organized a distribution plan to ensure water reaches affected neighborhoods.

When and Where

The contingency plan begins Wednesday, January 15, and continues through Thursday, January 16, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM.

The following areas will experience water disruptions:

• Unidad Educativa Técnico Salesiano

• Universidad del Azuay

• ECU-911 Austro

• Parque de la Madre

• Unidad Educativa La Salle

• Complejo Deportivo La Gloria

• Central Campus of Universidad de Cuenca

Water will be distributed through several methods:

1. Water Pools for Refilling

With the support of the Cuenca Fire Department, water will be available at these locations starting at 10:00 AM:

• Fire Station #3: Av. 27 de Febrero and Roberto Crespo Toral

• Parque Iberia

• ECU 911 Headquarters

• Parque La Paz

2. Tanker Truck Deliveries

Water will also be delivered by fire department and ETAPA tanker trucks in two scheduled rounds. These deliveries are prioritized for:

• Monte Sinai Hospital

• Santa Ana Clinic

• Military Hospital

• Paucarbamba Clinic

• San Juan de Dios Hospital

• Metropolitan Surgical Center

• UNIREAS Dialysis Clinic

• Santa Inés Clinic

• University of Cuenca

3. Fixed Water Supply Point

A fixed distribution point will be available at Parque Urano, starting at 10:00 AM.

Cuenca's water utility company, ETAPA EP, has announced that water service will be disrupted in seven areas of the city on Wednesday, January 15, and Thursday, January 16, 2025.

The outage will affect hundreds of families, schools, hospitals, and businesses that rely on the Cruz Verde Reserve Center for their water supply. This interruption is necessary for maintenance of the potable water tank and installation of control accessories, as confirmed by the company on January 3.

Affected Areas

The following areas and institutions will experience water disruptions:

• Unidad Educativa Técnico Salesiano

• Universidad del Azuay

• ECU-911 Austro

• Parque de la Madre

• Unidad Educativa La Salle

• Complejo Deportivo La Gloria

• Central Campus of Universidad de Cuenca

Revised Schedule and Contingency Plan

Initially, the interruption was planned for Tuesday, January 14. However, due to the large area affected, the schedule has been adjusted to Wednesday and Thursday. Some interruptions may persist into Friday, January 17.

To minimize the impact, ETAPA EP will deploy water tankers to supply affected areas, with priority given to public and private healthcare facilities.

The Municipal Museum of Modern Art is temporarily closed to prepare a new exhibition. It will reopen on January 9, 2025, with the exhibition. The museum hasn’t yet disclosed more information about the new exhibition. 

If you're planning to spend New Year’s weekend at the beach, be aware of a high wave alert in Ecuador from December 31, 2024, to January 3, 2025.

Beaches Under Alert

The National Secretariat for Risk Management reports:

• High risk (red flag): 26 beaches

• Medium risk (yellow flag): 15 beaches

Safety Tips for Beach Visitors

With rough seas expected, follow these six safety tips to protect yourself:

1. Stick to designated areas: Only swim or use boats in marked zones.

2. Check conditions: Ask local authorities or lifeguards about the wave and tide status.

3. Be cautious during low tide: Rip currents and strong waves are more intense.

4. Prepare for the weather: Use appropriate gear for sun and wind protection.

5. Avoid alcohol before swimming: Stay out of the water if you’ve been drinking.

6. Wear life jackets on boats: Always use safety gear for water activities.

Alert Flag System

Pay close attention to flag warnings at the beach:

• Red: Do not enter the water.

• Yellow: Enter with caution.

• Green: Safe to swim.

Source: Primicias.

Over 10,000 cases of the Oropouche virus (OROV) have been reported globally in 2024, affecting countries like Brazil, Ecuador, and Colombia, as well as parts of Europe. Ecuador has documented two cases, both of which resulted in full recovery.

Oropouche is transmitted primarily through the bite of the biting midge Culicoides paraensis and occasionally by the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. Symptoms include high fever, severe headache, photophobia, and muscle/joint pain, typically resolving within 2-3 weeks. Severe cases may lead to meningitis or encephalitis.

Currently, there are no vaccines or antiviral treatments, and the virus can have a fatality rate of up to 88%.

Preventive measures include:

• Avoiding areas with high insect activity.

• Wearing protective clothing and using insect repellents.

• Removing stagnant water to reduce breeding grounds.

You are advised to follow these precautions to lower your risk of infection.

The runway of Cuenca's Mariscal La Mar Airport will undergo maintenance, requiring temporary closures on weekends. The Cuenca Airport Corporation (CORPAC) has scheduled the works to minimize disruptions.

The first closure will take place from November 29 to December 1, 2024, with subsequent closures as follows:

December 6 to December 8, 2024

December 13 to December 15, 2024

December 20 to December 22, 2024

December 27 to December 29, 2024

January 1 to January 5, 2025

January 10 to January 12, 2025

January 17 to January 19, 2025

January 24 to January 26, 2025

Closure Hours:

Fridays at 11:00 PM

Reopening on Sundays at 6:00 PM

CORPAC has coordinated these dates with airlines to avoid inconveniences for flights and passengers.

Cuenca is experiencing a surge in water meter thefts, causing widespread concern among residents. In the last three months, several thefts have been reported in both residential and commercial properties. One of the most recent incidents occurred on November 15, at the Misioneras de María Corredentora, where thieves stole five meters and damaged several water pipes. The theft was discovered when neighbors noticed water leakage, prompting them to alert the religious group.

Other incidents include a theft on November 6, where seven meters were stolen from a location on Pío Bravo and Presidente Borrero streets, and another theft on November 7, where eight meters were taken from a property on Simón Bolívar and Miguel Vélez streets.

Marizta Tapia, a victim of one such theft, reported the crime to the Azuay Prosecutor’s Office and provided security footage showing the perpetrators—three men wearing hoodies, carrying backpacks, and removing the meters with remarkable ease. Tapia suspects that these thieves may be operating under the direction of someone with the intention of selling the stolen meters, and has urged local police to increase patrols during the night when these thefts typically occur.

Carlos Cajilema, a meter reader for ETAPA EP, emphasized that the stolen meters are uniquely coded to individual users, making them unusable elsewhere. Each meter is registered with a customer account number and is not reusable by anyone else. New meters cost about $130, and victims must purchase them to restore their water service.

In response, ETAPA EP has launched a campaign advising property owners to take additional security measures, such as installing metal boxes or grids around meters, and to verify the identity of meter readers. ETAPA EP also encourages reporting thefts immediately through their branches or the direct line 188.

The thefts are driven by the high value of the metals in the meters, particularly copper and, to a lesser extent, bronze. These materials are in high demand for manufacturing cables, machinery parts, and other industrial products. The stolen materials can be easily sold at scrap yards or recycling centers without proper checks on their origin. Authorities are also investigating the possibility that stolen meters are being resold in neighboring cantons. Municipalities and community water organizations are on alert.

Several neighborhoods are without ETAPA internet this morning. ETAPA is trying to find out what's going on.

A water supply interruption is affecting Cuenca after a pipe burst on De las Américas Avenue and Doce de Abril Avenue. To address the issue, ETAPA EP has arranged for water to be distributed through tanker trucks in various areas of the city.

The disruption is the result of a 315-mm distribution pipe breaking at the underpass near the intersection of 12 de Abril and De las Américas avenues. The damage occurred early Monday, September 16, 2024, when a truck exceeded the maximum height limit for that route.

Water Distribution Schedule

Starting at 8:45 AM, water is being provided near Clínica Humanitaria in Feria Libre, where it will be available throughout the day.

- A second tanker will distribute water from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Coliseo Mayor Jefferson Pérez.

- From 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, the tanker will serve Parque del Ángel.

- From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, water will be available at Puertas del Sol park.

Residents in need of water can also call 188 to arrange for a delivery.

Affected Areas

The following locations are impacted by the water outage:

- Balzay Campus, University of Cuenca

- Puertas del Sol

- Feria Libre

- El Batán Shopping Center

- Coliseo Mayor Jefferson Pérez

- República del Ecuador Educational Center

- Clínica Humanitaria

- Clínica Latinoamericana

- Parque El Ángel

- Parque El Quetzal

- Hotel Oro Verde

The water supply is expected to be restored after 6:00 PM.

Ecuador will experience a nationwide power outage from 10:00 PM on September 18 to 6:00 AM on September 19, 2024, due to maintenance on four key substations. This preventive measure aims to address the country's ongoing energy crisis, with work being done on primary equipment and transformers in locations such as Macas, Santa Elena, Milagro, and Molino.

The Pumapungo Museum and Archaeological Park will temporarily close for renovation work across its museum, theater, and park areas. The project aims to upgrade the infrastructure and enhance the overall visitor experience.

Key improvements include updates to permanent and temporary exhibits, better access, and the integration of new technologies.

The closure began on September 9, 2024, with plans to reopen in early December.

During this period, the Archaeological Site and the Ethnobotanical Park will remain open, offering virtual tours and alternative activities for visitors.

Events like the International Puppet Festival “TitiriCuenca” (September 24–28) and “World Stages” in October will still be held at the Pumapungo Theater as scheduled.