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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti—The Haitian government said on Sunday that at least eight people had died from cholera, raising concerns about a scenario that could spread rapidly and a memory of an epidemic that killed nearly 10,000 people a decade ago. revived the
The first cholera deaths in three years were reported in a community called Decayer, south of Port-au-Prince, and a seaside gang controlled by the Cité de Soleil, where thousands of people live in cramped and unsanitary conditions. It was a slum.
“Cholera can spread very quickly,” warned Laure Adrien, executive director of Haiti’s Ministry of Health.
Food and water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae can cause fatal diarrhea and dehydration.
In a statement, the United Nations said it would work with the Haitian government to “launch an emergency response to this potential outbreak”, requiring medical teams to ensure safe access to areas where cases are being reported. emphasized that
The deaths were caused by fuel shortages and ongoing protests that cut off basic services available across Haiti. This includes healthcare and clean water, which are key to fighting cholera and keeping patients alive.
Haiti’s most powerful gangs continue to control the entrance to a major fuel terminal in Port-au-Prince’s capital, amid soaring prices that have unleashed widespread protests that have paralyzed the country for more than two weeks. It leads to lack of fuel.
Fuel shortages and increasing roadblocks have prevented water trucks from visiting neighborhoods and providing drinking water to those who can afford it. Some companies have also temporarily suspended operations.
On Sunday, the Caribbean Bottling Company said it could no longer produce or distribute potable water because its diesel reserves had been “completely depleted,” adding that the lack of such a vital resource would affect “all sectors of society.” He added that he had an impact.
Adrian said health officials are trying to visit areas where cholera has been reported, but his agency is also running out of fuel as he closes down gas terminals and calls on those organizing the protests to “have a conscience”. said to be affected by
“This is a real problem,” he said of how the country is effectively paralyzed. “I hope this doesn’t spread.”
Adrian said all those who died failed to reach the hospital in time.
Haitian Health Minister Alex Larsen said people have the right to protest, but called on Haitians to allow drinking water supplies to areas cut off by roadblocks and protests.
“These areas have had no water for a long time and people are not drinking treated water,” he said, adding that cholera cases could spike again. I’ll have you add a little chlorine to the water.”
Haiti’s last cholera epidemic sickened more than 850,000 people in a country of more than 11 million people, marking one of the world’s worst outbreaks of preventable disease in recent history.
In October 2010, UN peacekeepers in Nepal were accused of carrying cholera through sewage into Haiti’s largest river. The United Nations has since acknowledged that it played a role in the epidemic and has not provided sufficient support to combat it, but has not specifically said it brought on the disease.
Haiti will only be declared cholera-free by the World Health Organization if no new cases occur for three consecutive years.
By Evens Sannon
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