Thursday, October 28, 2010

Hope for Haiti


The World Health Organization is is taking action to ensure cholera will be prevented, focusing on the outbreak in Haiti. Cholera is a species of Vibrio bacteria that produces a deadly toxin. Because cholera spreads in areas where there is untreated sewage, and contaminated water, the people in Haiti have clearly been affected.

Currently there are 12 cholera treatment centers being built to support isolation and treatment of cases: six in Artibonite, one in Central, and five in Port-au-Prince.

WHO's Region for the Americas (PAHO) continues to mobilize international experts including epidemiologists, risk communication, case management, laboratory, water and sanitation, logistics, and LSS/SUMA (humanitarian supply management system) to Haiti and also to the Dominican Republic.

-Shereen Alibhai

SOURCE: WHO