LAST ASSESSMENT: 19,646 CASES DECLARED, 1,186 DEATHS
The Government of Haiti established an emergency response center at the National Palace to better coordinate a national response to the cholera epidemic.
The center is composed of representatives from key departments, including communications, health, and finance, National Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation (DINEPA), and representatives of UN agencies and bilateral organizations. The aim is to streamline the activities and information for a multisectoral response.
Cholera continues to affect seven departments in Haiti and their communities. Partners in Health/Zanmi Lasante reports a growing number of cholera patients in the Artibonite, and the departments of Central and Western, with a total of 7,159 patients in health facilities in the Artibonite/Central Plateau.
For the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, an additional number of cases has been notified:
Carrefour, Cité Soleil, Delmas, Kenscoff, Petion Ville, and Tabarre. The increase in the number of cases in Cité Soleil is particularly worrisome because of its overcrowded conditions, poor hygiene and lack of access to drinking water. Medecins du Monde (MDM)-Canada operates three mobile clinics serving a population of 45,000 people in 14 camps in Cité Soleil, as well 55,000 people living in areas surrounding the camps.
A significant rise in cases in the departments of North-West and North was reported during the last three days. The partners are currently trying to find appropriate accommodation for patients and supplies to treat them. The violent protests this week have aggravated the situation because they have limited or blocked the distribution of essential medical supplies and prevented the deployment of campaigns to promote health. The training of health workers also had to be postponed due to civil unrest.
Assessment at the national level:
The latest assessment (cumulative) dated Tuesday, November 16, 2010 and published today Friday (!) by the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) reported 19,646 hospitalizations since the beginning of the epidemic; 1.264 additional cases from of the last official assessment of November 15 (+6.87%); and 1,186 deaths ; 76 additional deaths (+6.84%).
Port au Prince and metropolitan area:
In Port-au-Prince and metropolitan area, (Port-au-Prince: Carrefour, Cité Soleil, Delmas, Kenscoff, Pétion-Ville, Port-au-Prince, Tabarre and Croix des Bouquets) it reported 1,291 hospitalizations since the first reported case in this area; 338 more cases from the last assessment (Nov.15) (+35.46%) and 61 deaths; 13 additional deaths (+27.08%).
Many humanitarians believe that official figures underestimate the scale of the epidemic.
Moreover, this assessment was sent out with 4 days delay.
In the North where the rate of hospital mortality was highest in the country 7.5%, it is now 7.8%.
The total mortality (hospital and community) was 9.26% in the North on November 16.
The MSPP indicates that the figures for the North are partial.
Note: Comparisons are made between the assessment of November 15 and 16 November, 2010.
Official figures incorporate data submitted by departments to the Department of Epidemiology and now include the cases reported by NGOs and the Cuban medical mission.Copyright © 2010 Haitilibre.com
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