Haiti - Cholera: 1.415 deaths, 25.248 hospitalisations

[Treyfish]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 583 people, at least 9,000 infected

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 583 people, at least 9,000 infected

Fear of cholera outbreak grows in Haiti's overcrowded capital

Health officials expect the disease to spread rapidly among Port-au-Prince's 3 million people


Health workers feared a surge of cholera cases in the shantytowns and muddy tent camps of Haiti's capital as suspected cases piled up Tuesday and a laboratory confirmed a case originated in the overcrowded city.
Hundreds of people suffered the cholera symptoms of fever and diarrhea in hospitals and shacks built along the putrid waste canals of slums like Cite Soleil and Martissant.
At least 73 cholera cases had been confirmed among people living in Port-au-Prince. Physicians with the aid group Doctors Without Borders reported seeing more than 200 city residents with severe symptoms at their facilities alone over the last three days.
Following Monday's confirmation that a 3-year-old boy from a tent camp near Cite Soleil had contracted the disease before Oct. 31 without leaving the capital, the Pan-American Health Organization said the epidemic's spread from river towns in the countryside to the nation's primary urban center was a dangeorus development.
Damage to Port-au-Prince's already miserable pre-earthquake sanitation and drinking water systems make the city "ripe for the rapid spread of cholera," Dr. Jon K. Andrus, the organization's deputy director, told reporters Tuesday.
Port-au-Prince is estimated to be home to between 2.5 million and 3 million people, about half of whom have been living in homeless encampments since the Jan. 12 earthquake ravaged the capital. "We expect transmission to be extensive and we have to be prepared for it, there's no question," Andrus said. "We have to prepare for a large upsurge in numbers of cases and be prepared with supplies and human resources and everything that goes into a rapid response." ...:tiphat:http://www.salon.com/news/haiti/ind...eature/2010/11/09/cb_haiti_disease_outbreak_1

 

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Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 583 people, at least 9,000 infected

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 583 people, at least 9,000 infected

<TABLE class=content_table border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="50%"><TBODY><TR><TD>Home

Press Releases

</TD></TR><!-- News Content --><TR><TD class=body_outer colSpan=10></TD></TR><TR><TD class=body_outer colSpan=10><!-- starts mainbody --><TABLE class=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD class=contentheading width="100%">Press Briefing on Cholera Outbreak in Haiti by Dr. Jon Andrus November 9 at 2:00 PM




</TD><TD class=buttonheading width="100%" align=right></TD><TD class=buttonheading width="100%" align=right></TD><TD class=buttonheading width="100%" align=right></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=contentpaneopen><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=2>Cholera Outbreak in Haiti
Jon Kim Andrus, MD
Deputy Director
Pan American Health Organization
9 November 2010

I want to thank all of you for participating in today?s news conference. We hold these briefings to provide you an update on the ground situation in Haiti.

It is a relief to note that the impact of Hurricane Tomas was not as immediately catastrophic as we all feared, particularly if you compare it to the hurricane that struck Haiti in 2008.

The most heavily hit departments were the South and Grand? Anse, creating important needs for food, potable water and hygiene kits in these areas.

A number of hospitals were evacuated, along with thousands of people in vulnerable areas, but they are gradually returning to their homes or their camps.

Initial assessments indicate that Haiti?s agricultural sector was the most heavily affected, with flooded fields and major losses in livestock and crops.

We have every reason to expect that the widespread flooding has increased the risk of cholera spreading.

The effects of this could become apparent through an upsurge of cases over the coming days.

Before we get into the actual case counts, I?d like to take a step and put the situation in context for you.

Cholera is a complex public health emergency under any circumstances. And certainly in Haiti, the hemisphere?s poorest country, the problem is even more complex.

The country?s water and sanitation infrastructure was inadequate to begin with. Then, in January of this year, an earthquake struck the nation, killing 200,000 people and forcing more than 1.3 million people into tents and displacement camps, where they still live today.

To make matters worse, the flooding and mudslides from last week?s hurricane pushed rivers over their banks, very likely spreading cholera even further.

So that is the context of the current situation.

To give some historical context: the cholera epidemic that began in Peru in 1991 spread to some 16 other countries throughout the hemisphere, from Argentina to Canada, with cases even reported in Montreal and New York City. In Peru alone, it produced more than 650,000 cases over six years.

At the time, Peru?s population was about two-and-a-half times larger than today?s Haitian population. Extrapolating from Peru?s experience, one might expect upwards of 270,000 cases if Haiti?s epidemic continues for several years, as did Peru?s.

As of yesterday, the Ministry of Health was reporting more than 9100 hospitalized cases and some 583 deaths in some 240 communities. These include 73 cases reported in Port-au-Prince. We expect these numbers to continue to rise as more cases are detected.

As I have noted in earlier briefings, you may hear different case counts from different sources.

Reconciling these numbers is an important priority for PAHO and PAHO is supporting Haiti?s Ministry of Health in this area.

Before the current outbreak, Haiti was in the process of improving its epidemiological surveillance system, that system responsible for detecting diseases and monitoring trends in diseases. This was begun after the earthquake in January. The main challenge was --and currently is-- integrating case counts from different health providers, including nongovernmental organizations like Doctors without Borders and Partners in Health, as well as bilateral partners such as Cuban health providers.

To help the Ministry better integrate these various sources, PAHO has mobilized experts in epidemiology to continue improving the surveillance system. This work also includes establishing reporting sites in all the shelter areas.

As this work progresses, there should be more consistency in the numbers. However, I want to emphasize ?as I have emphasized a number of times before -- that the case numbers are not as important as the underlying trends, and our top priority is treating the sick and preventing new cases.
So what are we doing to prepare for an increase in cases that we expect? The answer is, we are doing everything we can -- to save lives.

In anticipation of the hurricane, PAHO pre-positioned cholera-related and other medical supplies in the major urban centers of the south and north, Les Cayes and Cap Ha?tien; as well as Port-au-Prince and St. Marc, the epicenter of the outbreak.

From these points, NGOs and other partners are able to pick up their supplies free of charge and distribute them according to their needs.

PAHO?s PROMESS warehouse has continued to distribute medicines and supplies to hospitals and organizations in four departments.

PAHO also has deployed a team of experts to Port-au-Prince to help scale-up operations at PROMESS, the central warehouse where supplies and medicines are stored, in coordination with Haiti?s Department of Civil Protection.

We continue to work with Haiti?s Ministry of Health, NGOs, the CDC and Canada, among other partners to get needed supplies into communities and health facilities and to prepare for the expected upsurge in new cases.

One final note: the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH, said recently that there is no objective reason to delay elections and that they are scheduled for November 28. You may recall, they were originally scheduled for last February, but they were postponed following the Jan. 12 earthquake.)

From a health perspective, there is no reason to expect the elections to have a negative impact on the cholera epidemic. And in fact, the Ministry of Health is planning to use the occasion to disseminate prevention messages to the population. It will help prevent the spread of infection.

I will stop now and take any questions.



</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>http://new.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4434&Itemid=1926</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 583 people, at least 9,000 infected

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 583 people, at least 9,000 infected

CHOLERA - HAITI (13): PORT-AU-PRINCE, CONFIRMED
***********************************************
A ProMED-mail post
<http://www.promedmail.org>
ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases
<http://www.isid.org>


In this update:
[1] Port-au-Prince confirmed
[2] Spread further south and west

******

[1] Port-au-Prince confirmed
Date: Tue 9 Nov 2010
Source: The Associated Press (AP) [edited]
<http://www.nj.com/newsflash/index.ssf/story/cholera-confirmed-for-resident-of-haitis-capital/d5cf89929c90475c990a496e28f6c99e>


A cholera epidemic has spread into Haiti's capital, imperiling nearly 3
million people living in Port-au-Prince, nearly half of them in unsanitary
tent camps for the homeless from the 12 Jan 2010 earthquake.

Health authorities told The Associated Press on Monday [8 Nov 2010] that
tests confirmed a 3 year old boy who hadn't been out of the city had caught
the disease. More than 100 other suspected cholera cases among city
residents also were being tested.

The outbreak has already killed at least 544 people in Haiti, Health
Ministry executive director Gabriel Timothee told the AP.

The boy was tested after being taken to the Bernard Mevs/Project Medishare
hospital 31 Oct 2010 suffering from severe dehydration, nausea, vomiting,
and diarrhea. He was treated with oral rehydration, IV fluids, and
antibiotics and was released.

A stool sample tested by Haiti's national laboratory contained _Vibrio
cholerae_ O1, the bacterium causing the disease, the chief medical officer,
Dr Antonia Eyssallenne, confirmed to AP by email. The boy's family had not
traveled in more than a year or had contact with anyone from the Artibonite
Valley, where the epidemic was first registered and has wreaked its most
ferocious damage.

Timothee said many of the patients hospitalized in the capital with cholera
are believed to have recently arrived from the Artibonite Valley, an
agricultural area where more than 6400 of Haiti's known 8138 cases have
been recorded.

At least 114 of the people suspected of having the disease in the capital
are in the Cite Soleil slum, the expansive ocean side shantytown at the
capital's far north eastern edge and its closest point to the valley.

Since its discovery in late October 2010, the disease has spread to half of
Haiti's 10 administrative regions, or departments. More than 200 people
have been hospitalized in the West department, where Port-au-Prince is located.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

******
[2] Spread further south and west
Date: Mon 8 Nov 2010
Source: Biosurveillance.typepad.com [edited]
<http://biosurveillance.typepad.com/haiti_operational_biosurv/2010/11/index.html>


[Petit Goave, Carrefour, and Les Cayes are all west of Port-au-Prince and
can be seen on the interactive maps in the blog postings. Le Cays is also
substantially south of the previously affected areas. - Mod.LL]

Cholera in Petit Goave: additional context
------------------------------------------
From an HEAS [Haiti Epidemic Advisory System] partner:
"We have 15 cases in the last 8 days: 1 confirmed by laboratory and 14 by
epidemiological nexus. The 50 beds CTC [Cholera Treatment Center] will be
operational in a few days, but for the moment we have a triage and
treatment 7 beds unit at the Petit Goave hospital, where we are taking care
of the patients who need it."

Carrefour: 6 cases of cholera, 5 without travel history from Artibonite
----------------------------------------------------------------------
HEAS partner reports 6 cases of cholera in Carrefour treated today [8 Nov
2010], only 1 of which had traveled from Artibonite.

Les Cayes: hospitalized family of 4 with suspected cholera
----------------------------------------------------------
From an HEAS partner:
A family of 4 persons from Gran Riviere outside St Louis du Sud (not to be
confused with the outbreak in St Louis du Nord) became symptomatic. They
are now at Immaculee Conception, the departmental hospital. Specimens have
been sent to the LNSP [National Laboratory of Public Health] in
Port-au-Prince for confirmation. This family had not traveled to the
publicly acknowledged affected areas.

--
communicated by:
ProMED-mail
<promed@promedmail.org>

[The predictions of spread of cholera are unfortunately confirmed and it is
likely that before long the infection will be all over the country. It is
probably only a matter of time that cases will be found in the Dominican
Republic, Haiti's neighbor on the island of Hispaniola. - Mod.LL

A continually updated interactive map of the cholera situation in Haiti is
available from HealthMap at <http://www.healthmap.org/haiti/>. - Mod.SH]

[see also:
Cholera - Haiti (12): further spread 20101108.4052
Cholera - Haiti (11): update pre-tropical storm 20101107.4036
Cholera - Haiti (10): increased cases 20101103.3986
Cholera - Haiti (09): PAHO 20101102.3968
Cholera - Haiti (08): south Asia origin 20101101.3962
Cholera - Haiti (07): strain analysis 20101030.3938
Cholera - Haiti (06): WHO 20101029.3927
Cholera - Haiti (05): (AR) 20101027.3899
Cholera - Haiti (04): (AR) 20101026.3876
Cholera - Haiti (03): (AR) Port-au-Prince, O1 20101024.3856
Cholera - Haiti (02): (AR) confirmed 20101022.3821
Cholera - Haiti: suspected, RFI 20101021.3818
Disease situation, post-earthquake - Haiti (02) 20100307.0750
Disease situation, post-earthquake - Haiti 20100207.0411]

.................ll/mj/sh

http://www.promedmail.org/pls/apex/..._BACK_PAGE,F2400_P1001_PUB_MAIL_ID:1000,85736

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 583 people, at least 9,000 infected - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 583 people, at least 9,000 infected - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Oxfam
115 #cholera cases confirmed in Port-au-Prince. Oxfam reinforcing water, sanitation & hygiene programs in #Haiti camps http://bit.ly/a24NzE

 

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Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Haiti cholera death toll increases

10/11/2010

cholera in Haiti

The Government of Haiti has confirmed that 643 people have died and almost 10,000 more hospitalised as a result of the cholera epidemic in Haiti.

It's expected more people will die after it was confirmed that the virus has reached, the capital, Port-Au-Prince.

The UN's humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, has said poor sanitary conditions in many parts of the country, combined with the flooding in the wake of Hurricane Tomas, are likely to accelerate the infection rate.

http://www.unmultimedia.org/radio/english/detail/106358.html

 

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Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Cholera epidemic leaves Haiti on brink of disaster once more

Hundreds have succumbed to the disease in a nation all too familiar with death and ill-equipped to deal with disaster.

By Joe Mozingo, Los Angeles Times
November 10, 2010

Excerpt:

At the Gonaives hospital, the medical director said eight people had died between Nov. 1 and Monday afternoon. But in the next hour alone, three people died. Neighbors said more than a dozen bodies had been hauled off in a dump truck that morning.

Down the road, workers at the main cemetery said 10 bodies had arrived that night. They guided a reporter and photographer to them, laid on the ground or on top of tombs. A few were in body bags, others were covered with sheets, two were in rough-cut coffins.

They said they dumped 48 bodies into pits the day before. They showed the journalists the pits, filled with bodies, but it was impossible to tell how many.

The cemetery director, who didn't want to give his name, said a total of 73 bodies had been dropped off since Saturday. It was unclear whether any of these were included in the official count attributed to the epidemic that began last month.

Full text:

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-haiti-cholera-20101110,0,3291838.story

 

[jflorida]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Reminder:

1 teaspoon (tsp) salt
8 tsp sugar in
1 liter of clean/boiled water

--is recommended by the WHO. If started early before severe dehydration it is a magic potion in treating cholera.

"Formulae of sugar-salt solutions recommended for treatment of diarrhoeal dehydration at home in African countries."

"Abstract

During a conference on diarrhoeal diseases in Tanzania in 1984, 19
participants representing 16 countries in Africa gave the formulae for
oral rehydration solutions therapy (ORS) which they recommended or
instructed for home use in their own countries. There were gross
variations in recommended quantities of sugar, salt and water.
Theoretical calculations indicated that the glucose concentration ranged
from 29 to 174 mmol/l (recommended 30-112 mmol/l) and that of sodium
from 9 to 116 mmol/l (recommended 30-80 mmol/l). It is very important
that countries should ensure that the recommendations for making up oral
rehydration solutions be standardized, otherwise dangerous or
ineffectual concentrations of salt and sugar solutions may be used for
rehydrating children.

The composition of the salt and sugar solutions used for the treatment of diarrheal diseases varies considerably as a result of different methods for preparing the solution and the variety of measures and containers used. During a conference on diarrheal diseases in Tanzania in 1984, the 19 participants from 16 African countries were asked to give the formula for oral rehydration solutions therapy recommended for home use in their countries. The concentrations of glucose and sodium in some solutions varied widely from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended formula. Reported glucose concentrations ranged from 29-174 mmol/liter and those of sodium ranged from 9-116 mmol/liter. WHO recommends that these homemade sugar-salt rehydration solutions should contain 8 level
teaspoons of sugar and 1 level teaspoon of salt added to 1 liter of
water. This results in a concentration of 116 mmol/liter of glucose and 86 mmol/liter of sodium. In many cases,
errors arise from the use of a pinch of salt rather than a level
teaspoonful and use of a tablespoonful rather than a teaspoonful of
sugar. There is the danger that solutions that do not conform
to the recommended composition will be either ineffectual or actually
dangerous. Thus, special care should be taken to standardize the
recommendations for the preparation of sugar-salt rehydration solutions.
This process can be facilitated through the use of a standard teaspoon
and bottle as measures." ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2456720 )

 

[sharon sanders]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Welcome jflorida! Nice name.

 

[jflorida]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 643, near 10,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

thanks, its my habdle on w underground - like the site - been lurking and decided to post.

 

[Pathfinder]

Haiti: Cholera has killed 724, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Haiti: Cholera has killed 724, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Nov 11, 2010

Cholera kills 724 in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE - THE toll in Haiti from cholera has soared to 724, an increase of more than 80 deaths overnight including three more in the capital Port-au-Prince, health officials said Thursday.

The total number of infections was now above 11,000, a rise of more than 1,000 from Wednesday's figures, the Haitian health ministry announced...

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_602158.html

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Haiti cholera toll at 800, worry for U.S.: CDC expert<SCRIPT language=javascript src="http://static.reuters.com/resources/media/global/assets/multivariate/widget-videohack.js"></SCRIPT>

PORT-AU-PRINCE | Thu Nov 11, 2010 3:07pm EST

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - The death toll in Haiti's cholera epidemic climbed on Thursday, reaching 800, according to a U.S. medical expert who expressed concern about risk of transmission to the United States and other countries.
...

Ezra Barzilay, an epidemiologist at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the health emergency created by the epidemic was worsening.

"As of November 8, we had about 640 deaths. Today we are at 800," he said in a call from Haiti to participants at a medical conference in Biloxi, Mississippi.

"The situation here is more dire every day. Haitians are in line (for treatment). Hospital beds are gone. Hospitals are completely overrun," he said, adding local medical staff were being forced into choices over which patients they treated.

...Ten deaths had been recorded in the capital Port-au-Prince, where authorities fear contagion in crowded camps housing earthquake survivors.

In his call to the Biloxi conference, CDC's Barzilay said U.S. health authorities were worried about the possibility of cholera spreading to Haiti's neighbors, including the United States, just two hours flying time away...

Full text:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6AA4W420101111

 

[jflorida]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Worse even - thanks for the link.

I am watching for how this particular strain is handled by the environment. Other Cholera is endemic and I am wondering how this one play out, especially with the large influx of pathogen post Thomas.

Here are some entries that are rather interesting:


"Two Cases of Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 Infection After Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita --- Louisiana, October 2005"

"This report describes the investigation by the Louisiana Office of Public Health and CDC into two cases of toxigenic V. cholerae O1
infection in a Louisiana couple; the cases were attributed to consumption of undercooked or contaminated seafood. Although noncholeragenic Vibrio illnesses were reported in 22 residents of Louisiana and Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, no epidemic of cholera was identified, and no evidence exists of increased." ( http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/office... studies/CDC_MMWR2006No02VibrioInfections.pdf )


"Wind Direction and Its Linkage with Vibrio cholerae Dissemination"

"Analysis of air pressure data at sea level and at several altitudes over Africa, India, and Bangladesh show a correspondence between the dominant wind direction and the intracontinental spread of cholera." ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1817714/ )


"Algal blooms in the spread and persistence of cholera"

"Cholera has been long associated with the seasonality of coastal algal blooms off Bangladesh. Using fluorescent antibody (FA) techniques, microbiologists have now identified a viable, non-cultivable form of Vibrio cholerae in a wide range of marine life, including cyanobacteria (Anabaena variabilis), diatoms (Skeletonema costatum), phaeophytes (Ascophyllum nodosum), in copepod molts, and in freshwater vascular aquatic plants (water hyacinths and duckweed). In unfavorable conditions V. cholerae assumes spore-like forms; with proper nutrients, pH and temperature, it reverts to a readily transmissible and infectious state. Nitrates and phosphates in sewage and fertilizers cause eutrophication, and scientists report an increase in intensity, duration and shifts in the biodiversity of algal blooms in many coastal, brackish and fresh waters worldwide. V. cholerae has been isolated from phyto- and zooplankton in marine and fresh waters near Lima, Peru. V. cholerae 01, biotype El Tor, serotype Inaba, may have arrived in the Americas in the bilge of a Chinese freighter. " ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8155853 )


"In situ survival of Vibrio cholerae and Escherichia coli in tropical coral reefs."

"V. cholerae can survive the in situ conditions of a tropical coral reef and could become a source of bacterial contamination for fish and shellfish in this environment." ( http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/54/1/1 )

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Fears rise with more cholera deaths in Haiti capital


<!-- end: .hd --> <CITE class=caption>AFP/File ? A boy looks at a man in an ambulance on November 10, at the hospital "Medecins Sans Frontieres" ? </CITE>

<!-- end #main-media -->


<!-- end .related-media --><CITE class=vcard>by Clarens Renois Clarens Renois </CITE>? <ABBR class=recenttimedate title=2010-11-11T13:38:56-0800>2 hrs 41 mins ago</ABBR>
<ABBR class=recenttimedate title=2010-11-11T13:38:56-0800></ABBR>
<!-- end .byline -->PORT-AU-PRINCE (AFP) ? Haiti's cholera crisis deepened on Thursday as the toll soared again and three more deaths in the teeming capital raised fears the epidemic could explode in camps full of [COLOR=#366388 !important][COLOR=#366388 !important]earthquake [COLOR=#366388 !important]survivors[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]...
Haitian authorities have been warned to expect a different scale of disaster if cholera takes hold in Port-au-Prince, much of which was flattened by a January earthquake that killed more than 250,000 people.
An estimated 1.3 million Haitians live in refugee camps, most in tent cities around the capital where water-borne cholera could spread easily in filthy conditions where scarce supplies are shared for cooking and washing.
The Haitian health ministry says 724 people have now died from the highly contagious disease and the number of infections around the country has passed the 11,000 mark.
The outbreak, Haiti's first in more than 50 years, erupted in the Artibonite River valley in mid-October and initially seemed to have been contained to central and northern areas.
But there have been roughly 1,000 new cases each day this week and the death curve is getting steadily steeper with 60 new fatalities recorded on Wednesday and more than 80 on Thursday.
More worrying still is the fact that three more deaths have been confirmed in Port-au-Prince, which recorded its first fatality from the disease on Tuesday.
"If cholera cases continue to rise at this rate, we'll quickly be overwhelmed," warned Yves Lambert, head of infectious diseases at the main public hospital in central Port-au-Prince...<snip>
"Think about all the rural communities in which there are no doctors... no nurses... in which people are dying," said David Walton, a doctor from Boston with 13 years of experience treating patients in Haiti.
"(Cholera) is there and its (infection rate is) much higher. We're just not hearing about it," Walton told CBS's "60 Minutes."

Desperate scenes were described earlier in the week in the major northern town of Gonaives where some 60 people were said to have died with cholera-like symptoms in just a few days.
"Sick people died on the way to the hospital, the bodies were covered in blankets and left near the town cemetery," mayor Adolphe Jean-Francois told AFP...
The Pan American Health Organization, the regional office of the UN's World Health Organization, has warned Haiti to expect hundreds of thousands of cases of cholera over several years now that the disease appears to have taken hold. :tiphat:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101111/hl_afp/haitiquakecholera_20101111213918

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Haiti-Cholera: Beyond the numbers, anxiety, carelessness

Thursday, November 11, 2010
by Peter Gotson



P-au-P., November 11, 2010 [AlterPresse] --- The Haitian authorities in partnership with international agencies say any effort to combat the cholera epidemic which has killed 724 since it first appeared in Haiti, Less than a month, prompting increasing anxiety and exposing the mismanagement of successive governments.

The epidemic was declared "national security problem" by the government, has also caused, for now, the hospitalization of 11,125 people across 6 of the 10 departments of Haiti.

While the government focuses its strategy on the establishment of the Cholera Treatment Centres (CTC), each new death adds to the anguish of the population, deeply felt the earthquake on January 12, which removed 300,000 lives and left 1.5 million homeless.

Over 85% of these people survive in subhuman conditions in makeshift camps established mainly in the metropolitan area, where the presence of the deadly disease was confirmed this week.

77 new deaths were recorded in 24 hours, and 919 hospitalizations in 6 of 10 counties in the country, informs the latest report from the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), dated November 9 in progress.

Nine of the ten deaths in 24 hours in the department of the West have been in Port-au-Prince, where at least one official in the slum of Cite Soleil (northern suburbs).

In the Haitian public opinion, it is feared that the situation is even worse in this neighborhood, while according to various testimonies, cases have also been recorded in other parts of the capital.

AlterPresse learned that at least five people died at the end of last week in Cite Soleil as a result of the epidemic, information not officially confirmed.

The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), an international organization that intervenes in Cit? Soleil, has expressed concern about a rapid progression of the disease in this slum.

"It's obviously an extremely dangerous situation," opines Jeff Kerzner, PADF director in Haiti, in a telephone interview with AlterPresse.

There were "several deaths" in the neighborhood, where poor living conditions make this region "fertile ground for rapid spread of the disease," he says.

In addition, this region is a focal point for transport to various areas of the capital and the country. Vessels from the port of Cite Soleil to the south and buses are the comings and goings between the district and Delmas (north), Marta (southern suburbs), passing through the center of the capital.

It is worth noting the lack of health services in many blocks of Cit? Soleil and patients may not be able to reach the nearest hospital.

Distribution operations of water, chlorine, medicines and body bags were held in Cite Soleil and the staff of the Ministry of Health met with local authorities to discuss measures to fight against the epidemic in the district, learned AlterPresse.

An initiative is also underway for the installation to Cite Soleil a water purification station, while a campaign of awareness to the principles of hygiene is underway.

The cumulative number of deaths by department since the onset of the epidemic is as follows: Artibonite 497, North 66, Central Plateau 58, West (including Port-au-Prince) 52, Northwestern 50, Southern 1.

Situation in the Artibonite and now in the North West is "extremely worrying", according to a finding of non-governmental organization International Action against Hunger (ACF), which occurs in these regions.

"The number of cholera cases is increasing every day and flood the city of Gonaives with over 300 000 people will certainly accelerate this phenomenon," says the organization in a report transmitted to AlterPresse.

The hurricane that hit Haiti Tomas last week left 21 dead and 9 missing.

"Beyond the necessary emergency response to these crises, the structural needs for water, sanitation and hygiene, truly responsible for the current epidemic must be addressed now," says ACF.

According to a study conducted in 2008 by this organization, only 41% of Haitians have access to latrines in their homes and 51% to drinking water, while in rural areas more vulnerable, less than 5% of the population receive sanitation.

These figures challenge regarding the responsibility of the Haitian authorities, who through the years have done nothing to promote education in the practice of hygiene and prevent the deterioration of social services.

While the living conditions of poor and middle classes have been aggravated by the earthquake of January. However, it is sobering to note that for several decades, politics - power for power - has always taken the greatest place, while social issues and welfare are clearly not the concern of successive administrations to lead the country.

Under current conditions the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) estimates that cholera could infect tens of thousands of Haitians in the years to come. [Gp apr 11/11/2010 13: 00]
:tiphat:http://haitipress.net63.net/?p=4461

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Haiti-Weather Alert for vigilance to six area departments until November 13

Thursday, November 11, 2010




P-au-P, November 11, 2010 [AlterPresse] --- The people, living mainly in the departments of the North East, North, Northwest, Great Cove (part of South-West) , Central and South-East are invited to stay vigilant and enforce safety regulations required by the Saturday, November 13, 2010.

Rainfall may be recorded in the 6 geographic departments because of rising moist air over southern Haiti associated with a small weakness south of the Dominican Republic, Haiti's neighbor country, warns National Meteorological Center (NJC).

This should help to increase the activities of rain on Haiti during the next 48 hours, that is, until Saturday, November 13, says the bulletin Cnm.

:tiphat:http://www.alterpresse.org/spip.php?article10245

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

The cholera epidemic:

The daily press conference was not held today. Our reporters met a team from Doctors Without Borders in the field hospital freshly installed Sarthe. "People are increasingly aware. They come very quickly to the hospital. The Haitian state has been tied to a property material Sarthe and we installed a field hospital.. The experts think Doctors Without Borders that the epidemic has not yet reached its peak. But once it is reached, the epidemic kiss itself.Although the number of cases received is steadily rising, the death rate does not exceed 2% and is steadily declining.:magnify: A woman fell down dead on the side of the Champs de Mars. We think it is cholera. But parents of the lady admitted she was suffering from diarrhea but had refrained from going to hospital care itself with 'remedies leaves'. Do not try to treat yourself, have taken pains to explain the doctors met in Sarthe, if you live in town. In Port-au-Prince, the hospitals are aware of. Patients have the time to seek treatment. At the hospital, they are put in serum to soften, they are given an antibiotic and within 2 or 3 days, the patient is cured and afraid to go home. It is important to know. " :tiphat:http://www.haitienmarche.com/lestoutesdernieres.php?id=1289501583

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

November 11, 2010, 4:09 PM
Binational markets reopen under strict hygiene measures, will be confined to specific areas

Written by: Leisy Torres (leisytorres2009@hotmail.com)
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DAJAB?N. "Before the outbreak of cholera affecting Haiti, which has killed 724 people, the Dominican authorities reopen tomorrow the country market in the border area, but so far confined to specific areas, and strict hygiene to prevent the penetration of disease into the country.


This measure taken by the authorities as a way to prevent cholera enter Dominican territory, could lead to further protests from traders Haitians, many of whom disagree with the provision, since the land market will not have capacity for all traders.

The markets will reopen tomorrow are Dajab?n, El?as Pi?a and Jiman? in each basin will be installed. There will also be buses with loudspeakers announcing where to go to wash their hands, where the bathrooms are and what steps must be taken to prevent cholera.

After leading a tour of the border region next to the president of the Dominican Medical Association, the Health Minister Bautista Rojas Gomez said that the goal is to make sure they are taken all necessary hygienic measures to open markets.

Rojas Gomez said that within the area do not permit the sale of cooked food or fruit juices and warned that those who violate this provision will be confiscated food.:tiphat:http://www.eldia.com.do/nacionales/...nales-bajo-estrictas-medidas-de-higiene-seran

The official said that this measure is "all" controlled, and that the confinement of the markets will be as long as necessary.

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Dominican-Haiti border market reopens in restricted area

Nov 11 at 12:54 PM
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Santo Domingo.- The Public Health Ministry authorized as of tomorrow Friday the reopening of the binational market held in the border town Dajab?n, but under the condition of several sanitary measures including locating the vendors in a specific area.
Health minister Bautista Rojas said the controls will be enforced within the zone where as many as 40 portable toilets will be available.
He warned that the Haitian vendors will not be allowed to enter the country the previous day as was the custom, but the same day of the market, to prevent the entry of cholera from Haiti.
Rojas, interviewed during an activity with Santo Domingo East mayor Juan de los Santos, said the vendors will be confined in the new market built in Dajab?n and will not be allowed visit other places. He added that there have been no cases of cholera in the country so far. :tiphat:http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/ec...aiti-border-market-reopens-in-restricted-area

 

[Treyfish]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

...Haiti's health ministry said on Thursday that up to Tuesday, November 9, confirmed deaths from cholera totalled 724, with 11 125 hospitalised cases registered. Ten deaths had been recorded in the capital Port-au-Prince, where authorities fear contagion in crowded camps housing earthquake survivors.
In his call to the Biloxi conference, CDC's Barzilay said US health authorities were worried about the possibility of cholera spreading to Haiti's neighbours, including the United States, just two hours flying time away.
On its website, the Florida Department of Health said travel to and from Haiti had increased since the Haitian earthquake with travellers including relief workers and local Haitian residents visiting family in Haiti.
?Cholera does not spread easily in developed countries such as the US, but we want to be sure we do not miss any high-risk situations, like cholera in a food-handler, or clusters or outbreaks,? the department said.
Florida has 241 000 Haitian-born residents, 46 percent of the Haitian-born population in the United States. :tiphat:http://www.iol.co.za/news/world/medics-concerned-by-cholera-in-haiti-1.746554

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

Re: Haiti: Cholera has killed 800, above 11,000 hospitalised - Oxfam Confirms 115 cholera cases in Port-au-Prince

UN appeals for $164M to combat Haiti cholera (AP)


Excerpt:

?We absolutely need this money as soon as possible,? said Elisabeth Byrs, a spokeswoman for the U.N. humanitarian office.
...

The World Health Organization said Friday that the epidemic isn?t likely to end soon.

?The projections of 200,000 cases over the next six to twelve months shows the amplitude of what could be expected,? said WHO spokesman Gregory Hartl. He noted that the current fatality rate of 6.5 percent is far higher than it should be.
...

?Cholera, now that it is in Haiti, probably the bacteria will be there for a number of years to come,? he added. ?It will not go away.?

Full text:
http://chicagopressrelease.com/science-and-health/un-appeals-for-164m-to-combat-haiti-cholera-ap