UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is warning of a resurgence of cholera in the Quest Department of Haiti, as it reports on the impact of ongoing gang warfare in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
OCHA, the UN aid coordination office, said that the resurgence had been occurring over the past month and that health authorities have reported new cases in the commune of Pétion-Ville, following 11 weeks with no cases showing up.
It said that in just a single week between October 5 and 11, there were 139 suspected cases recorded, including more than 20 laboratory-confirmed. Five deaths were also reported.
Pétion-Ville, as well as parts of the capital Port-au-Prince, including the commune of Cité-Soleil, remain on red alert, amid concerns over cholera spreading at sites hosting internally displaced,’ OCHA added.
It said that Haiti’s Ministry of Health, with support from the UN-backed Pan American Health Organization (WHO) and humanitarian partners, has stepped up disinfection campaigns, community awareness activities, and the distribution of chlorine, safe water and hygiene kits in the areas that are most impacted.
OCHA said that war in several countries such as in Sudan, Kyrgyzstan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are also affecting the health sectors in those countries. (CMC)
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