The hurricane flooded local rivers and outdoor latrines, leaving the surrounding area ripe for the spread of cholera, a disease caused by the consumption of contaminated food or water that may lead to severe diarrhea and dehydration. Cholera is easily treated if diagnosed early.
To combat the epidemic, WHO pledged to donate one million doses of the cholera vaccine to the country, according to the article.
While organizations such as Doctors without Boarders have opened cholera treatment centers in the southwestern region of the country, hospitals and clinics in the area are ill-equipped to respond to the increasing number of cases. Paul Brockmann, director of DWB’s mission in Haiti, said the coming wet season might further complicate the situation.
“The hurricane affected a population who was already in fragile health, and it has made their condition worse,” said Mr. Brockmann. “There is a very long stretch of densely populated coastline which is at risk.”
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