News: Haiti Cholera Outbreak

On Tuesday November 9, the Ministry of Health in Haiti announced 9123 cases of cholera and 583 deaths so far. The outbreak began in October in the rural area of the Artibonite River Valley in central Haiti, but has now spread to the capital Port-au-Prince...

1.3 million people still live in tents in Port-au-Prince after the earthquake in January which killed 3 million people. Recently, the island has also been hit by Hurricane Tomas leading to flooding which is believed to have added to the spread of cholera, a water borne disease.

According to the BBC, at least 10,000 [1]are in hospital undergoing treatment for cholera and the authorities are now concerned by the new site of infection. A three year old boy [2]was yesterday being treated for cholera even though he had not left the city since the outbreak. His family had also not been in contact with anyone from the infected areas.The few previous cases in Port-au-Prince affected people who had come to the city from infected rural areas.

'Cholera causes diarrhoea and vomiting and leads to severe dehydration. People can die from it quickly, though it is easily treated if caught in time'

Conditions in Port-au-Price are cramped and dirty for many, and the Director of Haiti’s Health Ministry, Gabriel Thimothe, has described the outbreak as “a matter of national security.” There are also fears that the disease could spread across the border to the neighbouring Dominican Republic, so every effort is being made to try and contain the outbreak.

The epidemic has sparked protests in Port-au-Prince after US scientists said the strain in Haiti came from South Asia [3]. This has led to blame being placed on Nepalese UN workers. These protests are part of a wider movement against UN presence in Haiti. Last month around 100 protestors blocked the entrance to a military base in Port-au-Prince after it was announced that UN Peacekeeping Forces were to remain in the country for another year.

Cholera causes diarrhoea and vomiting and leads to severe dehydration. People can die from it quickly, though it is easily treated if caught in time. It is passed on through eating food or drinking water contaminated with the bacteria.

The Foreign and Commonwealth [4]office are advising to avoid all but essential travel to Haiti.

To donate to Christian Aid’s Haiti appeal, click here [5]

Words: Amy Hall

Photo: Flickr user Water Missions International [6]