Cholera in Haiti Flashcards
Natural hazard
2010 EQ - Magnitude 7, killed 250,00, 1.5 million homeless (most in camps), no running water
Later Natural hazards
Nov 2010 Hurricane Thomas - Latrines overflowed, Hurricane sandy 2012 - increased cases again
Environmental Factors
Poor sanitation - 17% access to latrines ; Water supply - no/little running water, huge use of rivers like River Arbonite ; Food - rice a staple, grown with river water
Human Factors
Poor medical facilities - ill equipped and underfunded, Lack of education - on sanitation techniques and infectious diseases, lack of infrastructure - lack of access to clean and sanitised water especially in rural areas, no immunity to disease as brought in from Nepal, V dense population in Port Au-Prince
Nepalese UN workers
Brought Cholera from Nepal where it is endemic. Their latrines overflowed and infected the River Arbonite. This river is used by many for drinking, washing, growing food
Impacts on People
Began in Oct, by Nov - more than 500,000 cases and 7000 deaths, now over 770,000 cases and 9000 deaths. Many health facilities were overwhelmed by cholera, shortages of medical supplies and personnel. Children under five years of age were susceptible, many died as a result. Negative impacts on education, many schools were closed or disrupted due to the outbreak, which affected the learning outcomes of many children.
National Strategies to minimise impacts
Limited response - had an EQ and then Hurricane to deal with. Began an oral vaccination campaign. Efforts to educate population with information campaigns
International Strategies to minimise impacts
WHO - awareness raising and information campaigns on how to avoid infection and safe water campaigns 2010-2011, mobile medical units, training of local hospitals and clinics in cholera treatment.
MSF - set up treatment centres and provided medical supplies
Oxfam - improved access to clean and safe water, sanitation facilities improved
Red Cross - treatment centres, awareness raising, 1300 latrines
