No deaths from cholera reported
for 12 months
Amelia
Duarte de la Rosa, Special correspondent
THE Cuban Medical Brigade (BMC) in
Haiti stated that, from January 18, 2011, there have
been no deaths from cholera in the areas in which
they are working. In the 34 institutions established
to treat the disease, which continues in the country
in the endemic phase, medical personnel are
developing a preventative educational and promotion
program in the context of cholera.
Since the cholera outbreak, nine
months after the earthquake, the BMC has prioritized
treatment for the sick as well as diagnosis and a
prompt reaction to any potential case.
Although there have been no reports
of outbreaks in recent weeks, the brigade is
maintaining vigilance in places where diarrheal
illnesses have increased, while proactively
monitoring communities.
The mortality rate from cholera,
which has affected more than 500,000 Haitians, has
fallen. However, the indicator is still high, the
Haitian authorities’ register a rate of 1.3%. The
rate in areas where the Cuban Medical Brigade is
working is 0.36, four times below that of the
national indicator.
While there was no cholera epidemic
in Haiti for more than 100 years, the disease can
remain active in the long term, as was the case in
Peru in 1991 – where it continued for 10 years – if
inadequate hygiene habits remain and potable water
is not guaranteed for the population.
