The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) would like to inform the community especially persons traveling to Haiti, that there is a cholera epidemic in the Artibonite region of Haiti.
There have been 138 deaths and more than 1,500 are ill, according to reports received by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Cholera is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water. It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration and death within hours.
About 75 per cent of people infected with V. cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their feces for seven to 14 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people.
Cholera is transmitted through fecal contamination of water and food. In places where there is infrastructure damage, the lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene can increase the risk of cholera, as well as numerous other diarrhea diseases.
Cholera is easily treatable, and if patients are given oral re-hydration salts promptly to replace lost fluids, and they can nearly always be cured.
In a small percentage of people, cholera can cause very severe dehydration potentially leading to death. To minimize the number of people infected, frequent hand washing, personal hygiene, safe water use and food preparation are a necessity.
The reported cases and deaths have come primarily from areas where there was no direct damage from the January 12 earthquake, but where there are vulnerable populations living in impoverished situations.
By taking a few basic precautions, cholera as well as most other food and water-borne diseases can easily be prevented. The main rule is, always be aware of the quality of what you eat and drink when you are traveling.