OPERATIONAL BIOSURVEILLANCE
CONFIRMATION OF CHOLERA AT MULTIPLE SITES IN PORT-AU-PRINCE
We now have confirmation of multiple cholera cases inside Port-au-Prince in the Petionville area.
TWO SUSPECT CASES OF CHOLERA SEEN AT HUEH/PAP GENERAL HOSPITAL FROM ARTIBONITE VALLEY
Two women were seen at HUEH/PAP General Hospital this morning and released into the community without isolation for private laboratory testing to confirm they have cholera. This is indicative of a dangerous pattern of efflux of Artibonite inhabitants now into Port-au-Prince seeking care as the St Marc medical grid collapse has reached public awareness. PROMESS warehouse is reportedly refusing to release medical supplies and materiel to treat patients without laboratory confirmation of cholera. While this makes sense from the viewpoint of managing the inevitable influx of anxious well, it may inhibit providing life-saving treatment in a timely manner to patients who may die within hours. This latter point may be a focus of social outcry if not managed carefully.
MULTIPLE SITES, MULTIPLE SUSPECT CASES OF CHOLERA INSIDE PORT-AU-PRINCE; COLLAPSE OF MEDICAL GRID IN ST. MARC
We had tremendous hope of at least stalling entry of cholera into Port-au-Prince, but ground reports now suggest our worst fears may be realized. Multiple clinics now have reported suspect cases of cholera, reaching as far now as Petionville.
In St Marc, we have confirmation of a collapsed medical grid now- not just a single hospital facility (St Nicholas). Multiple international NGOs now are converging to bolster the grid, but with Port-au-Prince now reporting multiple suspect cases in multiple sites there is tremendous uncertainty how much resource will be needed... and where.
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