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Cholera on Hispaniola Island (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) (ECDC, update, Dec. 22 2010, edited)
Cholera on Hispaniola Island (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) (ECDC, update, Dec. 22 2010, edited)
[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full text: (LINK). Edited.]
Cholera on Hispaniola Island (Haiti and the Dominican Republic)
22 Dec 2010
Epidemiological update ? 21 December 2010
On 21 October 2010, the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) confirmed the first outbreak of cholera in the country for over a century.
The first cases were identified in the Artibonite Department but since mid-November all 10 Departments in the country are affected.
As of 15 December 2010, nearly 106,000 cases are reported, of whom 2312 have died (case fatality rate of 2.1% countrywide).[1]
The worst affected Departments are the Nord Ouest and Artibonite, with an attack rate of 3.3% and 2.9% respectively.
In absolute numbers, Artibonite (46,837 cases) and Port-au-Prince (19,480 cases) carry the most heavy case load.
Mortality rates remain largely above the expected threshold of 1-2% in at least 5 Departments.
The international response to the outbreak is coordinated by the MSPP, in close collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). The main challenges remain the response capacity in the northern and southern areas.
In the neighbouring Dominican Republic, the latest update from the Ministry of Health, of 19 December 2010, refers to 59 confirmed cholera cases.[2]
The spread of the disease in the Dominican Republic remains limited, most likely due to easier access to clean water.
However, travellers to this popular tourist destination need to take precautions to avoid being infected as indicated by the World Health Organisation.[3]
Other countries and territories in the Caribbean have also strengthened their preparedness with regards to the risk of spread of the disease in the region.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera of serogroups O1 or O139.
Consumption of contaminated water and food results in infection.
After a short incubation period of less than five days, the typical symptoms might develop, characterised by vomiting and watery (?rice water?) diarrhoea.
With timely treatment (mainly fluid replacement), less than 1% of patients with symptoms die.
The disease has not been endemic in Europe for a long time, and thanks to high hygiene standards the potential for imported cases to generate further ones is low.
References
[1] The daily bulletins by the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSSP)
[2] Ministry of Health of the Dominican Republic
[3] World Health Organisation (WHO): Frequently asked questions and information for travellers
[4] World Health Organisation (WHO): factsheet on cholera
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[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), full text: (LINK). Edited.]
Cholera on Hispaniola Island (Haiti and the Dominican Republic)
22 Dec 2010
Epidemiological update ? 21 December 2010
On 21 October 2010, the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) confirmed the first outbreak of cholera in the country for over a century.
The first cases were identified in the Artibonite Department but since mid-November all 10 Departments in the country are affected.
As of 15 December 2010, nearly 106,000 cases are reported, of whom 2312 have died (case fatality rate of 2.1% countrywide).[1]
The worst affected Departments are the Nord Ouest and Artibonite, with an attack rate of 3.3% and 2.9% respectively.
In absolute numbers, Artibonite (46,837 cases) and Port-au-Prince (19,480 cases) carry the most heavy case load.
Mortality rates remain largely above the expected threshold of 1-2% in at least 5 Departments.
The international response to the outbreak is coordinated by the MSPP, in close collaboration with the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO). The main challenges remain the response capacity in the northern and southern areas.
In the neighbouring Dominican Republic, the latest update from the Ministry of Health, of 19 December 2010, refers to 59 confirmed cholera cases.[2]
The spread of the disease in the Dominican Republic remains limited, most likely due to easier access to clean water.
However, travellers to this popular tourist destination need to take precautions to avoid being infected as indicated by the World Health Organisation.[3]
Other countries and territories in the Caribbean have also strengthened their preparedness with regards to the risk of spread of the disease in the region.
Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholera of serogroups O1 or O139.
Consumption of contaminated water and food results in infection.
After a short incubation period of less than five days, the typical symptoms might develop, characterised by vomiting and watery (?rice water?) diarrhoea.
With timely treatment (mainly fluid replacement), less than 1% of patients with symptoms die.
The disease has not been endemic in Europe for a long time, and thanks to high hygiene standards the potential for imported cases to generate further ones is low.
References
[1] The daily bulletins by the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSSP)
[2] Ministry of Health of the Dominican Republic
[3] World Health Organisation (WHO): Frequently asked questions and information for travellers
[4] World Health Organisation (WHO): factsheet on cholera
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