Help Prevent Cholera for 50,000 in Haiti

May 16, 2011

Current Situation:

• A vulnerability analysis was carried out based on information provided by the Ministry of Publice Health (MSPP), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO), and health partners, while taking into account combined risk factors from Health and Water and Sanitation (WASH) sectors. In addition, aspects such as population density, camps, access to water and sanitation, attack rate, mortality, and socioeconomic status were taken into account to evaluate the risks. Based on this analysis, it is reasonable to expect the first outbreaks in the Departments of West (including Port-au-Prince), South and South East, whereas Jeremie, Cap Haitien, and Port de Paix have been identified as highly vulnerable localities as well. Financial gaps for response to potential outbreaks are observed with MSPP and certain NGOs whose cholera funds are expiring.
• Several donors (ECHO, USAID) have indicated that new funds to respond to potential cholera outbreaks are available.
• The number of new cholera cases nationwide continues to decrease. The number of new cases in Northeast, Center, Port-au-Prince, North, Northwest, Artibonite, West, Nippes and Grande Anse departments are stable or decreasing. However, cases in South and South-East are increasing, potentially confirming the abovementioned vulnerability analysis.

What is the future outlook?

The direct correlation between heavy rains and rising cholera cases is evident in many departments; and the rainy season in Haiti is fast approaching. Therefore Plan is keeping up our hygiene awareness campaigns and water and sanitation activities to prevent future outbreaks. The consensus among experts is that cholera will never completely recede from Haiti. But all-around decreased funding for cholera is causing concern that the NGOs may not be able to adequately fill the gaps—that the local health authorities cannot cover, especially in hard-to-reach communities—which are almost certain to come during the rainy season. 

Future work planned :

1^st Level treatment: Oral Rehydration Point (ORP)

2^nd Level treatment (more advanced): Cholera Treatment Unit (CTU)

North-east

• Continue the distribution of hygiene kits at the schools
• Continue with the distribution of family Hygiene kits.
• Distribution of materials to the cholera treatment Units
• Continuous support and supervision of ORPs and CTUs
• Routine supervision and monitoring of ORPs and CTUs

South-east:

• Continue the distribution of hygiene kits in schools
• Continuous support and supervision to ORPs and CTUs
• Assess the status of all ORPs

West:

• Continue the distribution of hygiene kits at the schools
• Continue with the distribution of family hygiene kits.
• Distribution of materials to the CTUs
• Continuous support and supervision of ORPs and CTUs
• Routine supervision and monitoring of ORPs and CTUs

Links:

• Haiti Cholera