ICDDR, B EMERGENCY TEAM ARRIVES IN HAITI TO COMBAT CHOLERA EPIDEMIC
http://www.icddrb.org/news_detail.cfm?ID=477On
15 November 2010, a team of experts in clinical management and epidemic control from ICDDR,B arrived in Haiti to assist the international community in managing the island’s cholera epidemic.
The eight-person team, some of whom recently returned from working in flood-ravaged Pakistan, consists of clinicians, microbiologists, a medical officer and – for the first time on one of ICDDR,B’s emergency teams – two Bangladeshi nursing officers.
The team will join two additional expert clinicians who travelled ahead of the main party, and arrived in Haiti on 9 November 2010.
photo: http://www.icddrb.org/uploads/images/Haiti-ICDDR,B-MedicalTeam-i.jpg
HIGH FATALITY RATE
According to Haiti’s Health Ministry, since the cholera epidemic broke out in late October, more than 15,000 people have been treated for symptoms of the disease, and more than 900 have died. The number of patients increased dramatically when Hurricane Tomas battered the island on 4 November, causing flooding throughout the country, and further contaminating fresh water sources. According to the Health Ministry, the epidemic has just reached the capital, Port-au-Prince, threatening another 2.5 to 3 million people, and the United Nations has forecasted that up to 200,000 Haitians could contract cholera as the outbreak extends across the country of nearly 10 million.
“Our team specializes in the management of cholera outbreaks and epidemiology,’ said team leader, Dr R.N. Mazumder. “Our priority will be to train local people so that Haiti’s health authorities are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to manage this, and any future, outbreaks. We will also provide training on clinical case management and assist with establishing treatment centres in the most affected areas.”
The ICDDR,B team will provide technical assistance through three organizations:
Project Hope, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) – the Regional Office for the World Health Organization (WHO) in the Americas.
CHOLERA IN HAITI
This is the first time in more than a century that cholera has struck this Caribbean country. Poor sanitary conditions after the January earthquake has left the country vulnerable to the disease, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, leading to severe dehydration. Cholera can kill quickly but can be easily treated through antibiotics and the use of Oral Rehydration Solution, which ICDDR,B (then known as the Cholera Laboratory) helped pioneer in the 1970’s, in the wake of the Liberation War.
Additional Information:
1. Project Hope ICDDR,B team: Dr R.N. Mazumder, Clinician and Team Leader
Dr Sirajul Islam and Dr Zahid Hayat Mahmud, Microbiologists
Dr KATM Ehsanul Huq, Clinical Researcher
Dr Sharifuzzaman, Sr. Clinical Fellow
Dr Chandra Shakhar Das, Medical Officer
Ms. Momtaz Begum and Ms Cathrine Costa, Nursing Officers
Project Hope (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) was founded in 1958 and is dedicated to providing lasting solutions to health problems with the mission of helping people to help themselves. Project HOPE provides medical training and health education, as well as conducts humanitarian assistance programs in more than 35 countries.
2. Dr. Azharul Islam Khan, Clinician, will work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, USA
3. Dr Pradip K. Bardhan, Clinician will work with the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), which is the Regional Office for World Health Organization (WHO) in the Americas.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is an international public health agency established more than 100 years ago. PAHO is experienced in working to improve health and living standards of the countries of the Americas. It serves as the specialized organization for health of the Inter-American System. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and enjoys international recognition as part of the United Nations system.
To access the PAHO interview with Dr Pradip Bardhan, Clinician, ICDDR,B, please click here.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLrYZCKPkj4
For details please contact Graham Judd, Head - Communications Unit. http://us.mc1133.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=graham@icddrb.org
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