Public+Health+and+Response+for+Cholera+Outbreak

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Poverty, poor infrastructure, a small healthcare budget, lack of safe water and sanitation, and overcrowding are all big factors that exacerbated the spread of cholera after the earthquake that occurred on January 12, 2010.

Infrastructure problems after the quake according to OCHA (UN Office for the of Humanitarian Aid): • Seaport at Port-au-Prince non-operational • Airport at Port-au-Prince small, damaged, and congested • Shortage of warehouse space at the airport • Lack of helicopters, trucks, cars, and facilities for responders to use • Major fuel shortages • Security needed for supply deliveries • Humanitarian corridor between Haiti and the Dominican Republic congested • Affected populations scattered • Roads and bridges damaged; some still at risk of landslides • Logistical bottlenecks due to uncoordinated shipments • Many pledges not yet cash (OCHA, 2010)

I t was not expected that cholera would outbreak in Haiti after the earthquake, because there had not been instances of it in decades. An initial assessment was made by the CDC for the most pressing public health concerns after the earthquake. This includes: • Adequate quantity and quality of water • Food security • Appropriate shelter and protection from the elements • Prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal, respiratory, and vector-borne illnesses • Prevention of violence and further unintentional injury • Treatment of kidney failure due to crush injuries • Prevention of deaths from infected wounds • Prevention and treatment of inflamed lung tissue caused by concrete dust

Public health priorities were expected to be: 1. Reduce and prevent further deaths, injuries, and illnesses 2. Determine and meet critical needs for water and sanitation, healthcare, and food 3. Verify the status of healthcare facilities and assist in standing up healthcare services 4. Assess and address emergency maternal and infant health needs 5. Provide health education to help people protect their own health and safety 6. Conduct disease and injury surveillance in displaced and non-displaced populations (CDC, 2010a)

Cholera in Haiti was confirmed on October 21, 2010. Little was done to prepare for the outbreak, because it was not expected and therefore was not a public health priority initially.

Cholera is treated with an ORT (oral rehydration solution), and the World Health Organization (WHO) has specific instructions on how to make this solution. Cholera treatment centers (CTCs) are set up to treat people specifically with cholera. They have resources such as clean water, hydration, specialized beds, a disinfection area.

 

CDC's page on cholera outbreak: []