PORT-AU-PRINCE, Nov 23 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) — Haiti´s cholera outbreak has killed 176 people so far, while 9,682 are suspected of being infected, according to Health Ministry´s latest report.
Plus, 843 cases were reported in nine of Haiti’s 10 departments, and over 8,450 people have been treated in healthcare centers.
Past week, ¨Doctors Without Borders¨ organization warned that Haiti´s healthcare centers will soon reach their maximum capacity, treating about 270 people per day, five times more than during the first two weeks of the new outbreak.
Local health authorities reported the first cholera case in the Cité Soleil commune on Oct 2. Since that date, the disease has spread to nearly nationwide amid a chronic fuel shortage that forced reduction of health services in hospitals.
The sociopolitical, economic and security crisis limits the response to this disease, in addition to the low perception of risk among population.
Dr. Jeanty Fils Exalus, the Health Ministry spokesman, told that a disease cannot be adequately fought off if people do not believe it really exists. However, he pointed out that they are taking actions in several areas.
