Moving from cholera control to cholera elimination through essential investments in water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure
Current Status of Cholera in Hispaniola
One of the largest cholera epidemics in modern history began in the Center and Artibonite Departments of Haiti in October 2010, just 10 months after the devastating earthquake of January 2010. Within 1 month, cholera had spread throughout Haiti and cases were being reported by its neighbor in the Dominican Republic. As of December 25, 2011, Haiti has reported 522,335 cases, 281,440 hospitalizations, and 7,001 deaths,1 making this the largest cholera epidemic in the world in decades. In the Dominican Republic, 21,432 cases have been reported, with 363 deaths (152 laboratory confirmed).2
The 2-year anniversary of the earthquake is a time for the international community to call a halt to cholera and focus on short and long-term actions to help the people of Haiti and the Dominican Republic fight this scourge. Our goal is to ensure that cholera does not remain endemic in Hispaniola.