The outbreak presents more than half a thousand suspects of contagion, with many minors affected
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported this Friday that the outbreak of anger detected in Haiti has already caused 35 deaths, there are 47 confirmed cases and 560 suspects, according to the data it manages. PAHO indicated in a report that these data, as of October 12, come from the country’s authorities. He stressed that among the 560 suspected cases there are 296 hospitalized patients. In addition, 53% of those affected are men and 47% women, with a “significant number” of minors and adolescents, the agency said.
PAHO, which uses the figures provided by the Haitian Ministry of Health, added that 203 suspected cases have been detected in the Port-au-Prince civil prison alone, of which twelve have been confirmed, although fourteen deaths have been reported due to anger. Given this situation, the agency is working closely with the Haitian Ministry of Health and other international partners to support efforts to end this cholera outbreak.
Nevertheless, the lack of access to the affected areas “due to insecurity” is hindering epidemiological surveillance and the installation of cholera treatment centers and rehydration points, as well as the transport of patients, PAHO said. Similarly, the shortage of fuel makes it difficult to operate these treatment centers, laboratories and the transportation of personnel and medical supplies. Both factors – insecurity and lack of fuel – also contribute to making it difficult to access drinking water, which increases the risk of cholera spreading throughout the country.
The cholera outbreak was initially located in two areas of Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital, which are under the control of criminal gangs, which seriously hinders access to aid for the population. Twelve years ago, Haiti suffered one of the worst cholera epidemics in recent decades, which cost the lives of almost 10,000 people.