Cholera in Haiti - update 1

Cholera continues to be reported in Haiti. From 2 October 2022, to 1 January 2023, the Haitian Ministry of Health reported a total of 22 469 suspected cases (including 452 deaths) in all 10 Departments of the country.

The Ouest Department continues has reported 70% of all suspected cases recorded. The communes of Port-au-Prince, Cité-Soleil and Carrefour have reported 68% of all suspected cases reported in the Ouest Department.

Haiti is experiencing civil unrest, which exacerbates its public health challenges.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of faecally contaminated food or water, and occasionally foodstuffs such as shellfish.

Advice for Travellers

Severe cholera is rare in travellers. Mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.

All travellers should be given advice on:

• maintaining safe food and water precautions
• effective hand hygiene
• basic steps in self-treating diarrhoea, particularly remaining adequately hydrated

Vaccination against cholera is dependent on the individual risk assessment, but may be considered for:

• volunteers/humanitarian workers/medical personnel travelling to disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks are likely
• travellers with remote itineraries in areas where cholera outbreaks are occurring and there is limited access to medical care

For more information, please see the TRAVAX Cholera Page.