Hurricane Matthew left Haiti, but the danger has not passed. In Haiti increased the number of cases of cholera.
Haiti is suffering with cholera since 2010, after UN soldiers accidentally brought the infection into the country in the aftermath of a major earthquake this year. The world health organization reported that 80 thousand recorded cases in Haiti since the initial outbreak and 770 new cases in 2016.
Now the destruction brought Matthew, which has accelerated an existing epidemic and erode the gains made in the fight against the disease, said the leader of the country. "A lot of effort was made to avoid the spread of this epidemic," said interim President Jocelerme Commitment ", but the storm has sped it up."
Health Fund in Haiti also concerned about the potential sharp increase in cholera cases. The disease is transmitted through eating contaminated water or food carrying the Vibrio cholerae bacteria. The infection leads to vomiting and diarrhea that can kill within hours if left untreated.
The regional Director of the health Foundation, said that after hurricane Matthew will be harder to detect new infections.
"Cholera never left Haiti. Been going on since the beginning of 2010, but they were manageable. With the arrival of hurricane Matthew, rose water ... and eventually contaminated water sources with human waste and excrement can lead to a new outbreak, "said Director of health.
The main priority is drinking water available for people in Haiti. "Regardless of the technology, the purified water must reach us that the population relied on bad sources. Antibiotics, ointments and medicines to treat open wounds also play an important role".
Medical Director for Haiti, Dr. Vince Degennaro, said were dozens of fatal cases of cholera in the South-Western part of the city of port-a-Pimenta. The who warns that the reconstruction of health facilities is also a priority. After the rainy season will reach Haiti in November, cases of cholera may increase.
sections: Accidents, World News |