The recent Cholera outbreak in Haiti has spurred global action to manage cases and to prevent further spread. Proximity and the frequency of travel between islands make other Caribbean countries especially vulnerable. Following Hurricane Tomas, several islands suffered damage to water facilities and health infrastructure, which has placed these countries at greater risk in the eventuality of a Cholera outbreak. PAHO is currently collaborating with the Eastern Caribbean Donor Group for Disaster Management and Ministries of Health for a project on Caribbean Cholera Preparedness.

Situation Overview Bulletin#1

Meeting of the Eastern Caribbean Donor Group (ECDG) at PAHO/WHO Barbados

A meeting of the Eastern Caribbean Donor Group took place on December 1, 2010 with representatives from PAHO, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRCO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), and the Barbados Meteorological Services. The importance of preparedness in the context of cholera in the sub-region was emphasized, with special attention to the most vulnerable populations. Topics included cholera scenarios, preliminary assessments on preparedness, mitigation gaps, mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS, the feasibility of a multiagency appeal, coordination models, and the frequency of subsequent coordination meetings. 

Washington, D.C. 9 Nov. 2010 - As of November 6, the Ministère de la santé publique et de la population (MSPP) reported 8,138 hospitalized cases and 544 deaths due to the cholera outbreak. Five departments (Artibonite, Centre, Nord, Nord-Ouest, and Ouest) have registered cases. The Department of Civil Protection reported 6 deaths as a result of Hurricane Tomas. Over 18,000 people evacuated their homes preemptively, including over 14,000 people who evacuated to hurricane shelters. Initial assessments suggest the agriculture sector is the most strongly affected by Hurricane Tomas; however, an increase in the number of cholera cases remains a key concern of the humanitarian community.

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In Saint Lucia, Hurricane Tomas caused 8 deaths, major damage to key health facilities, water supply systems, as well as property and agricultural crops. Electricity has been re-established and some water supply function has now been restored but many areas are still without piped water. Two suspected leptospirosis cases are currently under investigation; however according to the Ministry of Health dengue and diarrheal disease cases have not increased. Water quality, food safety and limited surveillance capacity remain problematic. Health centers are experiencing difficulties with access, staff exhaustion and water storage. PAHO is supporting the deployment of a nurse midwife from Grenada who arrived in Saint Lucia on December 1st, 2010, to assist in Soufriere, where patients cannot be referred to a hospital. A project manager has been deployed for two weeks beginning on December 1st, and an environmental health advisor returned from Saint Lucia on the same day following a weeklong trip to support the distribution of supplies, provide training and assess current needs.