Over 3,000 people in Haiti have been diagnosed with cholera in recent weeks, with more than 250 deaths.
Cholera is a bacteria that is spread through contaminated water, food and personal contact. Infecting the intestines it is present in feces and easily spread in areas where sewage is not properly treated, drinking water is contaminated and there is a lack proper hygiene. In Haiti the situation is complicated by the fact that bodies of the deceased with cholera can continue to be host to the bacteria in the tropical heat, spreading the disease if not properly disposed of. Many of these conditions have been exacerbated due to the large number of people still crowded into temporary camps following the earthquake earlier this year.
Severe cases of cholera causes diarrhea and vomiting leading to dehydration, cramps and death. Seniors, children and those with other medical conditions such as HIV have a higher risk of death.
Due to the high daily traffic of persons across the Haiti / Dominican Republic border there is a high risk of cholera carriers bringing the disease into DR. Should there be an outbreak in DR it has the potential to have a double effect, both effecting the health of some communities but also cause concerns within the tourism industry with a potential to impact the financial health of those areas.
For more information on the cholera outbreak go to the Pan American Health Organization website at: http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4379&Itemid=1926
Photo: Canada Combat Camera - MCpl David Hardwick
Canadian Forces work to reconstruct some of the sewage infrastructure following the Haitian earthquake.
