Haiti Cholera Episemic Blog 9

Haiti cholera epidemic 'most likely' started at UN camp - top scientist

22 October 2012 Last updated at 01:04 ET

By Mark Doyle

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20024400

Dr Daniele Lantagne a cholera specialist said that a camp that UN soldiers recently arrived in Nepal is “most likely” the camp where the disease Cholera is vast.  Dr Lantagne is one of the world’s experts on the disease itself.  More than 7,500 people have died in Haiti from the cholera outbreak.  The out breaks started in late 2010; hundreds of cases are being reported each and every week.  This is the largest cholera outbreak in the world, with more cases there in Haiti than in the African continent.  Before this specific outbreak The country of Haiti had not recorded a single case of cholera for an entire century.  Cholera is spread via infected feces, once it hits a water supply it is very hard to stop spreading, especially in Haiti where there is no effect way of disposing sewage.  After doing much research, testing and investigation, experts have learned that the strand of cholera that was found in Haiti is the exact match of the strand of cholera that was found in Nepal. The spread of the disease across the country was the result of many factors.  They are as follows the inadequate water supply, and the most non-existent sewage disposal systems.  The strand of cholera was introduced to Haiti via someone that was infected with the Nepal strand of cholera, who was also associated with the United Nations Mirabalais camp. 

This has been a controversial issue so not much is allowed to be said. About it.

            This is a very touchy situation, there is a strand of Cholera that has been brought in by a member of the UN. As if Haiti doesn’t already have its own problems to deal with such as a lack of sewage and drainage problem, and the lack of clean water.  Thery are now being faced with this other epidemic. I think its really interesting that before this there had not been a case of cholera in years.  Cholera is one of those disease that once it is in the systems, its very hard to get rid of.  Riding the environment of it will prove to be a difficult task but it can be done.