(Jamaica Gleaner) -The health ministry in Jamaica was yesterday afternoon on high alert in light of the confirmation of an outbreak of cholera in Haiti.
At least 135 people have died since the outbreak of the illness in the rural Artibonite region of Haiti, which hosts thousands of quake victims.
Jamaica’s health ministry says it’s providing strategic management, direction and coordinated intervention through the National Emergency Operations Centre.
According to the ministry, the National Emergency Operations Centre will ensure ongoing monitoring through heightened surveillance at all ports of entry as well as at sentinel sites across the island.
Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse, the director of emergency, disaster management and special services in the health ministry says the country is on high alert because there may be travel to and from Haiti especially given its proximity.
Dr Bullock DuCasse is also advising that persons postpone travel to Haiti if they do not have to go.
Meanwhile, Dr Bullock Ducasse says the island’s laboratory capacity is enough to manage any testing that may be required.
She also says health staff is currently being re-sensitised to accurately identify and manage the illnesses if necessary.
Cholera is an acute, diarrhoeal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium Vibrio cholera.
The health ministry says the illness can sometimes be severe but persons may also present with mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
The symptoms include fever, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and muscle cramps.
