The cholera outbreak, with 259 deaths and more than 3,300 confirmed cases counted as of Monday morning, has so far been contained to the region around the epicenter — the central rural areas around the Artibonite River.
But the capital, Port-au-Prince, is tensely preparing for its arrival in the densely populated slums and tent camps of earthquake survivors. Treatment centers are being established, soap and water purification tablets being distributed and public safety announcements stressing hygiene.
“It travels with the speed of lightning, I’ve heard, and it can kill a person in four hours,” said Jean Michel Maximilien, a camp leader, on Sunday. “So of course we are all on edge.”
The Haitian government reported optimistically on Monday that the epidemic might be leveling off.
"The situation is beginning to stabilize,” Gabriel Thimothee, director-general of the Health Ministry, said at a news conference. “Since yesterday we have registered only six new deaths."
Officials emphasized that no new cases have originated in the capital, according to Associated Press. But health experts cautioned that the danger remained high.
Although the epidemic could leave off, this could soon spread to other regions and even other countries. Also, many Americans spend their money and resources in order to help Haiti and now there is a new reason. Haiti is a country of hardships after hardships. It seems like mother nature is messing with Haiti. I hope the situation soothes as soon as possible before it spreads further and further. When a country faces a big problem of a disease that could spread fast, even America has to be alert.
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