Cholera Outbreak in Haiti and Dominican Republic. Situation Report, n.9 (16 December 2022)

Abstract

In Haiti, confirmed cholera cases are reported in new areas of the capital and in additional departments. As of 14 December 2022, the Department of Epidemiology, Laboratories, and Research (DELR) confirmed 1,291 cases of cholera in nine departments. 962 (74.5%) of confirmed cases were reported in the Ouest Department, followed by 156 in Centre and 54 in Sud Est. 15,400 suspected cases have been reported in all 10 departments of the country since the first cases were reported on 2 October. In Haiti, high levels of insecurity and limited access to populations continue to be major challenges in the response to the cholera outbreak. In Haiti, PAHO/WHO continues to support the Ministry of Health (Ministère de la Santé Publique et de la Population – MSPP) and partners, including: Distribution of cholera kits and other essential supplies by air and land to ensure quality case management of cases at Cholera Treatment Centers (CTCs) and Oral Rehydration Points (ORPs) in 9 departments. Technical and logistical support to field investigations in all departments, including donation of Rapid Diagnostic Test to identify suspected cases and collect samples for laboratory analysis. Technical and financial support for the planning, training and implementation of the upcoming cholera vaccination campaign set to start on 18 December in the Ouest and Centre Departments. In the Dominican Republic, PAHO/WHO continues to support the Ministry of Health in monitoring, investigating and responding to cholera alerts, including in prevention activities through risk communication and community engagement. As of 14 December, a total of 15,400 suspected cholera cases were reported in nine of the ten departments in Haiti, including cases reported in the Civil Prison in Port-au- Prince. Out of these, 1,291 were confirmed by the national laboratory, including 305 deaths. To date, nine out of the ten departments that reported suspected cases have confirmed cases (47 in Artibonite, 156 in Centre, 54 in Sud-Est and 962 in Ouest). We note an increase of 12.64% in overall suspected cases and an 8.21% increase in confirmed cases since 6 December (Figure 1). The case fatality rate among suspected cases is 2%. Regarding the 305 deaths reported as of 14 December, there is a 7.77% increase compared to the update on 6 December 2022. The Ouest Department reported a 5.65% increase in suspected cases and a 2.01% increase in confirmed cases. Yet, the other 9 departments reported an average increase of 44% in suspected cases and 64% in confirmed cases, compared to 6 December 2022 (Figure 1). The most affected communes in the Ouest Department continue to be Port-au-Prince, Delmas, Cité Soleil, Carrefour, and Pétion-Ville, where the majority of suspected and confirmed cases are reported. Based on the MSPP information from 14 December, 58.77% of reported suspected cases are male, 41.23% female and (Figure 2). Among the 1,291 confirmed cases, age groups 1-4 (18.8%) and 30-39 (14.15%) are the most affected.