How to prevent Cholera in Haiti

The Ministry of Public Sanitation and the Population has recorded 581,952 cases of cholera as of July 2012, with a 7,455 death tally since October 2010. A noticeable rise in cholera cases have been reported since early 2012 in Centre, Nord, and Port-au-Prince. Port-au-Prince neighborhoods reporting cases of cholera include: Carrefour, Cité Soleil, Delmas, Kenscoff, Petionville, and Tabarre.

The clinical definition of cholera is a bacterial infection, whose symptoms manifest as diarrhea and dehydration. The bacteria is usually transmitted through the intake of impure food and drinking water. Or the water can become impure by a person's feces or untreated waste material. Food that comes into contact with water mixed with cholera bacteria, or by a handler with cholera in their system is unsafe to eat.

For travelers who intend to visit Haiti, a cholera prevention kit is a necessity:

• an antibiotic prescribed by a doctor.
• water purification tablets.
• oral rehydration salts.

Besides using these items to avoid or manage cholera, it is advised to:

• wash hands frequently with soap and de-contaminated water.
• use chemical toilets.

Sources that carry a risk of contacting cholera are piped water, drinks in plastic drink cups, and ice.

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