We have been tracking both Twitter and French media reports of an "outbreak" of diarrheal disease thought to have killed approximately 40 individuals and caused "genuine panic". This is the official comment from PAHO:
To date there is a suspected outbreak of diarrhea in the Artibonite. The Department of Public Health and Population (MSPP) has sent an investigation team on St Marc and Mirebalais and awaits the results. At this point there is no declaration of emergency or official confirmation of an outbreak.
Precautions were taken to the hospital of St. Mark, or most of the patients are hospitalized, received the necessary medical equipment to meet needs during the coming days. PAHO / WHO is working closely with the MSPP, PAHO expert participates in meetings of the situation room of the national laboratory, PAHO epidemiologist working with the national team tomorrow morning and will travel there with the director of medical United Nations. If needs PROMESS has the stock of essential medicines to meet the request.
We have seen no information or indication of sudden / abrupt inundation of medical infrastructure or report of public evacuation, however patients are hospitalized. A diagnosis of cholera is highly unlikely given it has not been reported in Haiti for many years. Lab results, as stated above, are pending.
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