Cholera in Haiti

As if Haiti has not been through enough, this past year has been a nightmare. In January, Haiti experienced a 7.0 magnitude earthquake which devasted this already impoverished nation and claimed the lives of 230,000 people. This loss of life does not include the millions left homeless living in tent cities, with little to no medical care, lack of clean drinking water and lack of sanitary conditions. In the past couple of weeks there has been an outbreak of cholera, which as of today has claimed the lives of over 1,000 people and over 16,000 have sought medical treatment. Cholera is an intestinal infection caused by bacteria transmitted through contaminated water or food, the source of contamination is usually feces of infected people. Cholera causes diarrhea, vomiting, severe dehydration; can kill quickly, but is easily treated by rehydration and antibiotics. Protests and attacks have been occuring in Haiti mainly against peacekeepers and foreigners who have been blamed for this outbreak.