UN: Ongoing cholera outbreak in Haiti has killed more than 6,500 people

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UN: Ongoing cholera outbreak in Haiti has killed more than 6,500 people

2011-10-22 19:52:20 GMT+7 (ICT)

PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI (BNO NEWS) -- The Haitian government has reported more than 6,500 deaths as a result of the ongoing cholera outbreak in Haiti, health officials said on Saturday. Hundreds of thousands more have been sickened.

According to the United Nations (UN) World Health Organization (WHO), Haiti has recorded nearly 470,000 cases of cholera, including 6,595 deaths, since an epidemic of the disease erupted approximately one year ago.

WHO spokesperson Tarek Jasarevic said the disease could infect another 75,000 people by the end of the year if the current trend continues. Of the nearly 470,000 patients, some 250,000 people have been hospitalized.

If the rate does continue, the number of total victims could reach more than half a million in a country of approximately 9.7 million.

After a decline in weekly cholera cases in August, the number of cases rose again in September. Areas such as the South and Nippes departments, Nord, Centre and the capital of Port-au-Prince all saw significant increases.

There are currently 37 cholera treatment centers, 269 cholera treatment units and 766 oral rehydration posts. However, lack of funding has forced a number of WHO's partners to withdraw or scale down their operations in Haiti, Jasarevic said. Meanwhile, WHO has urged the humanitarian community and donors to remain vigilant as long term and coordinated cholera response may be necessary.

The conditions could worsen this month as heavy rainfall is forecast in several regions of the country, which is still recording from a devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake on January 12, 2010. The new rains could favor the spread of cholera and other water-borne diseases.

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