Just over a month ago 9% of cholera cases were ending up in hospital, now the figure has dropped to 3.5%, according to figures released by PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). PAHO adds that a significantly lower proportion of infected patients are now dying of the disease.

Dr. Jon K. Andrus, Deputy Director of PAHO, said:

    “This is progress. There are still too many deaths, and we face many challenges. But the hard work of Haitian doctors, nurses, and community workers and their partners in the international community is, in fact, saving many lives.”

According to Health Ministry figures, over 80,000 people have become ill with cholera in all Haiti’s 10 departments. Over 1,800 people have died since the end of October 2010.

PAHO and other aid organization say the figures are definitely an underestimate.

PAHO and the US CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) believe the total number of infections will reach 400,000 within the next 11 months. They also estimate that half of that total will have become infected during the first three months of the epidemic.

Dr. Andrus said:

    “Cholera is now entrenched in Haiti, and conditions on the ground are such that we should expect many more cases.

    The main challenge we face in Haiti today is scaling up the response over the next few weeks, particularly as we approach the holiday season when it will become more difficult to mobilize outside support, supplies, and other resources.”

The Ministry of Health in Haiti, as well as other UN agencies say the country needs more cholera treatment centers, as well as a more expanded effort to promote prevention and treatment at family and community levels. This should include public education programs, the provision of chlorination tablets, and oral rehydration salts. Just to get this done will mean an extra 350 doctors, 2,000 nurses and 2,200 support personnel over the next three months.

30,000 community health workers and volunteers need training, PAHO adds. Oral rehydration salts and water purification tablets are in short supply.

PAHO adds that Haiti urgently needs:

  • Material for building latrines
  • Cholera beds
  • Water cisterns
  • Water bladders
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Body bags
  • chlorine
  • Antibiotics
  • Intravenous rehydration solution

Dr. Andrus said:

    “We know that many patients were arriving too late at hospitals and health clinics. Expanding the number of treatment facilities and educating people about the need for early treatment have helped reduce the proportion of deaths. In the midst of this outbreak, people need to know that with the very first loose stool they need to start taking oral rehydration salts. If they do that, we can save more lives.”

Source: PAHO

Written by Christian Nordqvist