The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday that the number of deaths from a cholera outbreak in Haiti could be “much greater” than had been recorded and anticipated cases to increase. It also predicted that the number of cases will increase.
At least seven deaths from cholera were reported in this crisis-ridden nation on Sunday, raising new concerns about the disease’s potential resurgence nearly three years after the last documented case.
There have been several suspected cases reported in Carrefour, the City Soleil area along the shore, and the suburbs of Port-au-Prince.
Since late July, getting to both of these gang-controlled regions has been very challenging.
Roadblocks, gasoline shortages, protests, looting, and general strikes have all contributed to the deterioration of the situation in Haiti during the past few weeks.
“This situation seriously complicates the humanitarian response,” WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva, adding, “The situation is developing rapidly, and there may be previous infections, but they were not detected. ”
The death figures are likely to be “much higher.
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And “with the humanitarian situation as it is, the health situation and the areas controlled by gangs where it is hardly possible to reach control or to conduct tests or even to bring in help, we should expect, unfortunately, that the cases of infection will be higher and that they will rise. ”
He confirmed that a request is being prepared to be submitted to the International Coordination Group for the purchase of oral cholera vaccines.
But global availability of vaccines is limited and demand outstrips supply. .
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