Outbreak of Cholera in Haiti - Essay Example

"Outbreak of Cholera in Haiti" is a perfect example of a paper on infections.
Cholera hit Haiti in October 2010 where it emerged as a massive tragedy that claimed thousands of people’s lives. The first incidences confirmed were in the bordering Dominican Republic. Research exemplifies that the disease originated with the UN peacemakers, who had come to the country to keep peace at the time (Date, 2011). Officials argue that there was no detection of the disease in the country before, where Central and Northern Haiti experienced extensive harm. However, the secretary-general to the UN denied that the epidemic did not emanate from them, claiming that it was an intentional action; rather it was just a coincidence of circumstances (Date, 2011).  Haitians contracted the disease shortly after the country had experienced natural tragedy; an earthquake that claimed numerous people’s lives.

Preventing the spread of cholera

It is recommendable that the Haitians drink boiled water, rather than the river water that has harmful bacteria emanating from contaminated places (Webster, 2011). Feces were the main contaminant of river water confirmed, but people used them without boiling to kill the bacteria. Haitians sanitation facilities are poor, especially in their living regions. The state requires early and timely attention to employ adequate cholera prevention procedures. This encompasses proper hygiene of the sanitation facilities via maintaining cleanliness regularly.

The peacemakers from the UN need immunization against cholera so that they are secure from contracting and spreading the disease to the states that they visit (Date, 2011). This is to ensure that they maintain low infection levels in the states that they intend to visit, which are unaffected. Since they live in camps during their missions; they should ensure effective treatment of waste chemically prior to disposing of it (Webster, 2011).  This ensures that cholera levels are nil if not minimal especially to the vulnerable people who may inhabit flooding regions.