First cholera case in Florida confirmed

[News_Editor]

First cholera case in Florida confirmed

2010-11-18 00:38:16 GMT+7 (ICT)

MIAMI, FLORIDA (BNO NEWS) -- A Florida woman on Wednesday was diagnosed with cholera after following a trip to Haiti to visit her family, local media reported.

The unnamed woman from Collier County, located in the southwest region of Florida, has become the first cholera case in Florida directly connected with the cholera-stricken Artibonite Valley of Haiti, which has already killed over 1,100 Haitians.

Dr. Thomas Torok, a cholera expert in the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Epidemiology, said the woman was doing well as they continue to investigate additional cases in other counties. Her case is unlikely to case further spreading as she reportedly does not work by directly contacting the public.

Florida's health department las week has issued an advisory local medical clinics and doctors to not hesitate in conducting tests to patients with cholera symptoms - profuse, watery diarrhea, dehydration, and fever, among others.

There are around 241,000 Haitian-born residents in Florida that commonly fly back and forth from the country. Because of this, new cholera cases are being expected in the area.

Meanwhile, health officials in the Dominic Republic have confirmed their first case of cholera. The department said the case involves a Haitian citizen who recently returned from visiting the neighboring country of Haiti.

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