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Haiti: Cholera snapshot (published as of March 2014)

Countries
Haiti
Sources
OCHA
Publication date

In spite of severe structural deficits and financial constraints, the combat against cholera is slowly being won. Concerted national and international efforts have resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of suspected cholera cases and deaths from cholera every year.

The overall incidence of the disease has been reduced by 50% and fatality rates are below the 1% target rate set by the World Health Organization. The first months of 2014 have registered the lowest number of cases and cholera related deaths since the beginning of the epidemic. From January to March 29th 2014, the number of suspected cases (3,617) and deaths (28) decreased by more than 75% compared to the same period last year.

However, given the poor state of hygiene and sanitation and the difficulties to access drinking water in the country, the risk of contamination remains high. Response efforts need to continue, especially as Haiti enters the first rainy season, which, based on trends of previous years, could result in an increase of suspected cases.

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs: To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.