NewsDesk @bactiman63

The situation is evolving rapidly, and it is possible that earlier or additional cases have not been detected. 

The surveillance mechanism set up by the Haitian Government, with the support of WHO and other partners, is operating under extremely difficult circumstances.

The affected areas are very insecure, and controlled by gangs, which makes it very difficult to collect samples, and delays laboratory confirmation of cases and deaths.

In addition, fuel shortages are making it harder for health workers to get to work, causing health facilities to close and disrupting access to health services for people who live in some of the most deprived communities. 

-Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus,  10-12-2022

Image/Robert Herriman

In a follow-up on the rapidly evolving cholera outbreak in Haiti, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Dr. Carissa F. Etienne said today piggybacking on the WHO director’s comments, “Cholera has arrived amid serious ongoing social and political unrest which complicates efforts to provide humanitarian assistance and to respond the outbreak.”

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As of October 9, national authorities confirmed 32 cases and 18 deaths, as well as over 260 suspected cases in the area surrounding the capital Port-au-Prince.

Etienne also noted that cases are likely much higher than reported numbers, as escalating street violence and criminal activity limit access to the affected areas.

Haiti experienced a massive outbreak of cholera beginning in October 2010, affecting over 820,000 people and killing 9,792 persons until January 2019 (between 2010 and 2016, between 27,000 and 340,000 cases of cholera were reported annually in Haiti, with a case fatality ratio (CFR) between 0.8-2.2%).

After more than three years, Haiti was on the verge of being declared cholera-free.