Fifty-one new cholera cases reported in Cuba’s capital are drawing an
increasing concern about the spread of the illness throughout the
country.
Cuba's Public Health Ministry acknowledged the situation in Havana on
Tuesday as disappointment rises in the diplomatic community over the
government's lack of transparency.
While the outbreak, which began Jan.6, has not caused any deaths, the
government has stressed the preventive measures already taken have put
the disease "on the way to extinction."
The government has not responded to repeated requests for comment,
nor has it made any experts available to talk about
the cholera situation.
According to the World Health Organization, almost 80 percent of cholera cases can be treated with oral rehydration salts.
Today there are two variants of oral cholera vaccines available,
although neither guarantees 100 percent immunity from the disease. While
only offering “moderate protection,” the use of the vaccine can help
develop “herd immunity,” said WHO officials.
Cholera is a water-borne disease caused by a bacteria found in
tainted water or food. It can kill within weeks through dehydration, but
is treatable if caught in time. Cholera is unusual in Cuba but recent
outbreaks in nearby Haiti have killed more than 7,200 people.
It was unclear why a new outbreak was being seen in Havana. Rains,
which can help spread the disease, are common in January, but the
weather has been unusually dry this year.
As of Tuesday, the British Embassy in Havana had issued a travel
advisory urging its citizens to take "sensible precautions" and seek
immediate medical attention for diarrhea.
Several other European diplomats told AP they are also considering
issuing similar advisories, and have been concerned that the government
is not sharing information with them in a timely manner. They spoke on
condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak
publicly.
As far as the U.S., American diplomats on the island issued a travel
warning Monday urging American citizens to follow local health
recommendations. About 400,000 Cuban-Americans visit the island every
year, and about 100,000 others issued visas.
The nationalized health care system in Cuba is considered to be one
of the most advanced in Latin America. Because of this, Cuba has become a
population destination for health care tourism.
So far, no tourists have come down with the illness.
Tourism in general is the top sector in Cuba's flagging Communist
economy with 2.8 million visitors a year and about $2.5 billion in
annual revenue. A major cholera outbreak could hurt tourism.
While Cuba's state-run media had been largely silent
about cholera before Tuesday, there has been an intensified campaign
against water-borne diarrhetic illnesses. Several health centers in the
capital require visitors to sanitize their shoes by stepping in chlorine
when they enter, and state schools have been stressing hand-washing and
other hygiene measures.
"I know that they are taking the necessary measures," said Beatriz
Guerra, a 26-year-old mother of two who lives in Miramarshe. "One just
needs to be very cautious."
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