The UN is supporting efforts by the Haitian Government to contain an outbreak of cholera following the confirmation of a positive case and the identification of other suspected cases around the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The case was identified using the cholera surveillance mechanism, established by the Haitian authorities and supported by the United Nations.
It was confirmed as positive at the National Public Health Laboratory in Port-au-Prince on Sunday 2 October. Additional suspected cases are currently under investigation.
Emergency response
The UN is actively monitoring the situation and is working with national authorities to mount an emergency response to this potential outbreak, focused not only on limiting the spread of the disease, but also on telling families how to take immediate lifesaving action in their local communities.
Additional support will consist of expanded surveillance, increased water and sanitation provision, the opening of cholera treatment centres and the reinforcement of case management.
Specialized emergency response teams are ready to be deployed to support affected communities.
Stopping the spread
However, in the current environment of insecurity and lawlessness around the capital, it is imperative that these teams be guaranteed safe access to areas where cases have been confirmed or suspected, to help mitigate the risk of a large or disruptive outbreak, the UN Country Team said in a statement released on Sunday night via the Resident Coordinator’s office.
The United Nations is calling on all Haitian citizens to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to prevent the spread of cases within the community. These measures include:
- boiling water for drinking and cooking
- washing hands regularly with soap and safe/treated water (boiled or chlorinated)
- protecting food from pests (rodents and insects)
Anyone who exhibits symptoms of acute watery diarrhea, the statement said, and vomiting, should seek immediate medical attention immediately and try to stay hydrated using oral rehydration salts which can be made at home by combining one litre of clean water, six teaspoons of sugar and ½ teaspoon of salt.
Infants should be given a minimum of half a litre of oral rehydration salts per day while children should receive one litre. Adults should consume three litres per day.
The United Nations is committed to stand side by side with the Haitian people and Haitian authorities as they seek to contain this outbreak, the statement concluded.
