More victims succumb to cholera in Haiti

Quake-rattled Haiti is now fighting to control a deadly outbreak of cholera which has already killed nearly 200 people.

Young children are particularly at risk from the diarrhoea, fever, vomiting and acute dehydration caused by the disease.

Rehydration kits are being flown in from around the world.

Medical workers are doing all they can:
“We heard this morning that there was a desperate situation in the hospital so we brought pedialyte for rehydration. We brought antibiotics; cipro in particular. We brought cots because there are people sleeping on the ground, on mats or blankets which is very unhygienic. We brought hand sanitiser and soap and other materials to help maintain the hygiene of the hospital.” said Jason Herb from the International Medical Corps.

It is thought the outbreak was caused by people drinking infected river water.

So far, it has been contained in the north of the country.

But the death toll could soar if the disease spreads to Port au Prince where 1.3 million earthquake survivors live in crowded camps with poor sanitation and little access to clean water.

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