Cholera - Haiti Observer Blog

The Haitian Joudalist just learned that rumors in the grand Anse region of Haiti are circulating that a priest has come up with magic powder to spread cholera to the population.

Who said that we can't invent anything?

According to English.news.cn, at least 12 people were killed last week by machete-weilding mobs, and their body burned because of suspicion that they are part of a group using a magic powder to spread the cholera disease on the population.

It was also reported that the local government issued a statemend that said: "There is no cholera powder, nor cholera spirit" and the priests "can neither treat cholera, nor make a powder that gives cholera."

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The United Nation is now saying that cholera is likely to affect a lot more people in Haiti than previously estimated. They also stated that the number of death from the cholera is likely to be much higher than originally thought.

UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon said that the actual number of death from the cholera in Haiti is about 3,600 people and not around 1,800 as previously estimated. For the next six months, The UN secretary estimated that 650,000 new cases of cholera will be detected in Haiti.

The UN Secretary also said that Haiti is currently in need of more medical personnel.

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The contribution of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Haiti can not be ignored. These doctors are treating cholera victims in some of the most remote regions in Haiti.

According to top officials of the United Nation Stabilization Mission, the centers operated by the Cuban Medical Brigades in Haiti are part of the important work to fight the cholera epidemic, along side with Doctors without Borders and many other medical groups.

Haiti is in need of a lot more doctors and nurses to combat the cholera epidemic. The UN top humanitarian official stated recently that Haiti needs at least 100 more doctors and 1,000 more nurses to handle the epidemic effectively. Doctors from Cuban Medical Brigade, Doctors without Borders and many other medical groups currently providing services currently will not be able to provide care to all these people.

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It was reported that a group of residents in the Municipality of El Penon in the Dominican Republic has mounted street protest against Haitians living in the region due to the cholera outbreak in the neighboring country of Haiti.
Last Saturday, Dominican protestors burned tires on the streets and prevented normal day to day activities in the municipality of Penon by blocking streets, throwing rocks and bottles, demanding that all Haitians leave El Penon.

The fear by the Dominicans came as a result of a Haitian who was diagnosed with the cholera epidemic in the country. Wilma Louwes who is Haitian was treated for cholera in a hospital in the Dominican Republic and released in good health. However, according to haitilibre.com, "He was denied access to the apartment he rented with his girlfriend for 3 years, apartment located at 46, Julia Pena street in San Martín sector of Higuey. "

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A message from Pope Benedict XVI to the crowd of pilgrims and tourists gathering in Place St-Pierre Vatican. The Pope urges them to give generously to help Haiti. Pope Benedict XVI stated: "I support all those who are doing their best for this new emergency and, while I will give a particular mention in my prayers, I appeal to the international community so that this population can be helped generously"

Haiti has been fighting a cholera epidemic that has caused so far more than 900 dead. The situation is getting more dire every day. Port-au-Prince is home to some 3 million earthquake survivors who have been living in makeshift camps without clean drinking water and proper sanitation.

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Is there a risk that the cholera epidemic in Haiti can come to the U.S. and start killing people?

Haiti is less than 2 hours from the United States, when traveling by plain. On a daily basis, people travel by air and sea between the two countries. as a result, it remains a possibility that someone infected with the cholera in Haiti can travel to the U.S.

Do you think that it is a matter of time before the U.S. government requires that anyone coming from Haiti be screened for cholera? Do you think like some countries will start screening Haitians as they are arriving in their country to prevent the spread of cholera into their population? The island of Jamaica has already taken similar actions.

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Cases of Cholera have been detected in the North and the South of Haiti. The population is questioning the efforts made by the Haitian government to control the spread of the disease.

The people who sell food in the streets have been told to have water available for the clients so that they could wash their hands properly before eating. They also have been told to make arrangements so that people could use the bathroom

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This goes without saying that Hurricane Tomas concerns lots of people around the world for Haiti. These people, more than one million f them, are literally living out in the streets. The tents that they are currently living under are not even effective in keeping the sun out.

Hurricane Tomas is likely to bring rain which many experts predicted will exceed 20 or 30 inches. Major flood with mudslides is also likely following hurricane Tomas.

So imagine, winds of over 90 to 110 mph in tents while water rising with mud. By the way, there is an outbreak of cholera going on right now in Haiti and hurricane Tomas could create a more widespread outbreak.

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This is breaking news. All persons from Haiti are to be screened before being allowed to enter the country.

The Director of Emergency Management and Special Services in the Health Ministry stated that All persons entering the country by airports or by seaports from Haiti are to face quarantine before allowed into the country. This is what was reported today by Jamaicaobservator.Com

Jamaica is so far the first country to require Haitians or people arriving from Haiti to undergo a screening before allowed into Jamaica.

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Is the Haitian government trying to use the Cholera outbreak not to hold election in November? I do not know about you, but I actually do not see a clear leader now in the Haiti election. I can safely say at this time that anyone of the four leading candidates could win in November, and that includes either Michel Martelly, Mirlande Manigat, Jude Celestin, or Charles Henri Baker.

For a presidential election in Haiti that is appearing to be more and more out of control, I think this is a great opportunity to buy time and look further into the future to see what's ahead. Last Saturday Haitian President Rene Preval voiced his concern about the upcoming November 28 Haiti election, worrying about potential contagion at the polling stations.

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