At the beginning of this year, toxic microorganisms were discovered in fish contaminated by algae on the Iriri and Xingu rivers in Para. These microorganisms are the same toxins responsible for the deaths of dozens of people at the Caruaru haemodialysis center seven years ago. However, the Brazilian environmental agency, IBAMA, has abandoned research of water quality in the Altamira region, including the indigenous villages of Kaiapo and Arara, due to lack of resources. Some people are reported to be already suffering from eye irritations and diarrhea due to the contamination.
