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Haiti struggles against cholera epidemic
by Neha Gupta - October 28, 2010 - comments
As of now, essentials like water purification tablets, oral rehydration kits and soap are being distributed by aid organizations.
Despite efforts made by government and international aid groups, the cholera epidemic, which was detected last week in Haiti, is showing no signs of receding.
So far, 292 people have died while 4147 people have been infected with the disease, The Pan American Health Organization reported.
Though aid provided by various organizations has resulted in slowing down the menace, the numbers have been rising.
"With a disease like this, you see a rapid upswing in the number of cases over a short period of time, and that's what we're seeing," Jon Andrus, PAHO's deputy director, said at a news conference Wednesday. The epidemic "doesn't appear to be stabilizing," he added.
Centers being set up
All measures are being taken by the health agencies and other organizations to help the patients in the affected areas.
While a cholera center has been set up by the Red Cross, the UNICEF is currently involved in water treatment.
The U.S. humanitarian agency, USAID, said Wednesday that they “have distributed 25,000 sachets of oral rehydration solution, 5,000 bars of soap and 50,000 educational posters with aid partners.”
Claude Surena, president of the Haitian Medical Association, stated that the country's government is all set to install cholera facilities outside of Port-au-Prince.”
Many patients have been admitted in St. Nicholas Hospital in St. Marc. The number has been increasing but the hospital does not have the “capacity to handle a cholera emergency,” confirmed Federica Nogarotto, MSF emergency coordinator in St. Marc.
A cholera isolation center is to be built in the hospital by this week. The 400 bed center would surely be helpful in reducing the strain on the hospital.
Help being rushed
As of now, essentials like water purification tablets, oral rehydration kits and soap are being distributed by aid organizations.
The U.S. humanitarian agency, USAID, said Wednesday that they “have distributed 25,000 sachets of oral rehydration solution, 5,000 bars of soap and 50,000 educational posters with aid partners”.
In addition, chlorine and clean potable water is being sent to Haiti.
Officials are worried that the epidemic might reach the capital, Port-au-Prince, where more than a million people were residing during the massive earthquake in January this year.
A few makeshift camps stretching from the capital toward St. Marc still contain thousands of displaced Haiti residents.
Vaccinations against the disease are not being recommended by the health department as it is too time consuming, considering the need of multiple doses of the vaccine.