Reportedly 15 dead of cholera in Cuba - 150+ cases- declared over- maybe not

[Pathfinder]

Translation (Google)

Two dead and 50 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

Details Posted on Thursday, June 28, 2012 17:59 For Coffee Strong.Celia Sanchez Hospital, Manzanillo, in eastern CubaBy Calixto R. Mart?nez *

Manzanillo, Granma. - Two people died and more than 50 remain hospitalized in the town of Manzanillo, in eastern Cuba, where authorities decreed a quarantine at the Provincial Hospital Surgical Clinic "Celia Sanchez." Police and State Security agents guard the medical center, according to testimony given by residents in the cities of Manzanillo and Bayamo.

Although the government maintained total silence and the news has not spread in official media, the medical situation seems rather complicated. "They have reported two deaths and the hospital can not cope, the aisles are full of stretchers with patients ... now surpassed the fifty people, including children and adults who are hospitalized for the disease, "Calvente Misleidi Figueredo, who lives in Manzanillo.

Silence and concern

The identity of the deceased, although both are adults. Calvente said the outbreak is stronger in the communities of La Pesquera, heifers and Around the Cano, who have been quarantined by the authorities. All medical personnel have been mobilized Manzanillo. "It is said that medicine is not enough and are sending the request to another place, but they [the provincial] quiet you have that, but confirmed that it is cholera," she added. Yaquelin Jaens Garcia, who lives in the nearby city of Bayamo, claims she met the outbreak of the disease while visiting Manzanillo on 26 June.

"In the hospital Celia Sanchez trustees were replaced by police and state security, to prevent others from information about what happens there," he said. Were unsuccessful attempts to achieve communication with the hospital authorities. However, a source connected to a government agency confirmed the versions of the existence of cholera in the area.

On the afternoon of Thursday, the popular TV Frequency 12 local television abruptly Granma reported an outbreak of diarrheal diseases in the province, but gave no details of the affected areas. Dehydration symptoms Cholera is an acute diarrheal disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, which manifests as an intestinal infection, vomiting, profuse watery diarrhea and numbness in the legs. In those affected, rapid loss of fluids can rapidly lead to dehydration and exhaustion, and cause death within hours in the absence of appropriate antibiotic treatment and moisturizing. It often occurs as an epidemic in places of poor sanitation, overcrowding or affected by starvation.

The disease spreads rapidly in areas with inadequate treatment of drinking water and wastewater. The rainy conditions favor the spread of cholera, which has not been known outbreaks in recent years in Cuba. The most recent outbreak of cholera in the hemisphere were reported in Haiti following the devastation caused by the earthquake that hit the country in January 2010.

The city of Manzanillo, known as the Gulf of Guacanayabo, has a surface area of 498 square kilometers and its population reaches 132.183 inhabitants. It is one of 13 municipalities comprising the province of Granma and ranks as the most important industry.

* Talk Correspondent Press agency. This information is a special collaboration Caf?Fuerte.

http://cafefuerte.com/cuba/noticias-...riente-de-cuba

[sharon sanders]

Re: Two dead and 50 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

Subject Cholera - A Report of 2 Dead and 50 Hospitalized in Eastern Cuba
From flutrackers@flutrackers.com
To promed
Date Today 09:55

[alert]

Re: Two dead and 50 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

http://www.promedmail.org/es

Published Date: 30/06/2012 14:58:11
Subject: PRO / E> Cholera outbreak likely: No official confirmation - Cuba (Granma)
Archive Number: 20120630.264020

CHOLERA, POSSIBLE OUTBREAK: NO OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION - CUBA (Granma)
************************************************** ****

A ProMED-mail

http://www.promedmail.org

ProMED-mail is a program of the
International Society for Infectious Diseases

http://www.isid.org

Date: June 30, 2012
Source: UPI Spanish

[Edited by J. Torres]

Independent journalists reported on the deaths of two people
and hospitalization of about 50 by an outbreak of cholera in the municipality
Cuban Manzanillo.

The health emergency would be started in midweek. The
Cuban government officials have made no mention of
crisis but learned that the municipality of Manzanillo, belonging to
the eastern province of Granma, has been declared in "quarantine".

The Provincial Hospital Surgical Clinic "Celia Sanchez"
where patients are hospitalized with cholera reported, is
guarded by security agents of the State and members of the
police, according to a report by journalist Calixto R. Martinez. The
report was published on the website of the agency
Talking News Press, based in Havana,

According to records the daily El Nuevo Herald local residents
Martinez interviewed agreed that the situation has
exceeded the capacity of the hospital. Also commented that the
Health authorities are asking for help from other municipalities.


Reported by: Jaime R. Torres

- ProMED-ESP


[Comment:

It should be noted that since the August 3, 1882, when it was reported
officially the last case of cholera in Cuba, the disease has not
been confirmed in the country. A ruling is expected of
health authorities to confirm or exclude the press release
outlined above. However, it is the information coincides with the
Recently return from a group of 119 health professionals
Cuban Medical Brigade called to the island, after having completed
assistance mission in Port-au-Prince. It has also been
noted that on the afternoon of Thursday, the popular
Frequency 12 television local television Granma, reported
sharply from an outbreak of diarrheal diseases in the province,
but gave no details of the affected areas. Moderator James R.
Torres]

[alert]

Re: Two dead and 50 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

http://www.promedmail.org/pt

Date Published: 30/06/2012 14:14:00
Subject: PRO / PORT> Cholera - Cuba (GR), outbreak
Archive Number: 20120630.1185948

Cholera - CUBA (GRANMA) OUTBREAK
*******************************
A message / Una mensaje / of ProMED-PORT

http://www.promedmail.org

ProMED-mail and a program of / es un program de la
International Society for Infectious Diseases

http://www.isid.org

Date: Saturday / Saturday, June 30 / Junio 2012
Source: El Nuevo Herald [29/06/2012] [Edited]

http://www.elnuevoherald.com/2012/06/29/1240443/brote-de-colera-en-oriente-de.html

Cholera Outbreak in Cuba
-----------------------
At least 2 dead and more than 100 people hospitalized has stopped a cholera outbreak in the Cuban city of Manzanillo, Granma province. The health emergency was introduced in the middle of this week [junho/2012] The fishing deals in and Around the drain. Cuban government officials have not spoken officially about the situation.

"We have suspended sales of liquid ambulatory and have said that police have closed several palates (restaurants) as a precautionary measure," said Roberto de Jes?s Guerra, director of Let's Talk Press news agency, based in Havana. Sources consulted by El Nuevo Herald confirmed that the authorities ordered a state of "quarantine" to prevent the spread of the disease.

The Provincial Hospital Surgical Clinic "Celia Sanchez," where are hospitalized most of those affected, is guarded by security agents and state police officers, said De Jesus.

A Strong Coffee portal report, written by journalist and correspondent for Talk Press, Calixto R. Martinez said the crisis in Manzanillo has outstripped the capacity of the hospital. According to testimonies collected by Mart?nez drug shortages forced the hospital management to seek help to cover medical needs urgent and immediate.

"The hospital would not cope, the aisles are full of stretchers with patients and you have more than 50 people, including children and adults hospitalized for this disease," said Misleidi Calvente Figueredo, who lives in Manzanillo. "In addition there are two deaths, both adults, "he added.

"While the government keeps everything in silence and has not broken the news to the people for any of your media, it is known that the situation is quite complicated," added Martinez. In his report said he had tried unsuccessfully to collect details and a version of the facts of their own hospital management. "In several attempts to contact the hospital for more details, leaving a record that repeated the number is busy, dial another," said Martinez.

The cholera outbreak in the eastern part of the island locals raised eyebrows and questions about how Miami would have appeared a disease that is believed controlled Cuba. A hypothesis on the health emergency did not rule out the possibility that this was caused by contagion from the group of volunteers, doctors and humanitarian who served in Haiti.

The neighboring Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, captured world attention when it was devastated in early 2010 by one of the worst earthquakes on record. The aftermath of the tragedy and the terrible living conditions opened the floodgates to the emergence of several diseases, including cholera.

Reported by:
ProMED-PORT
promed-port@promedmail.org

[And the anger continues to "run wild" ... Now, possibly, of Hispaniola (Haiti and Dominican Republic) to Cuba.

The silence of government officials against epidemiological emergencies of international importance, and go against the dictates of the International Health Regulations is one of the elements for the potential spread of diseases such as cholera, for example.

- Mod RNA

[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Two dead and 50 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

July 01, 2012

Cuba: Manzanillo under quarantine for cholera

Via Centro de Informaci?n Hablemos Press, an independent news organization in Havana: Decretan al municipio Manzanillo en cuarentena por C?lera. [Manzanillo municipality declared under quarantine over cholera]. Excerpt, with my translation:

Autoridades del Gobierno, en conjunto con las instituciones sanitarias, decretan al municipio Manzanillo en cuarentena; a tiempo que polic?as y agentes de Seguridad del Estado custodian el Hospital Provincial Cl?nico Quir?rgico Celia S?nchez Manduley (1920-1980).

Government authorities, together with health institutions, have declared the municipality of Manzanillo to be under quarantine, while police and agents of State Security are guarding the Celia S?nchez Manduley Provincial Surgical Hospital and Clinic.

Seg?n informaron, Yaquel?n Garc?a Jaens, residente en Bayamo y Misleidi Calvente Figueredo, en Manzanillo; el estado de cuarentena decretado se debe a un brote de C?lera que ha causado la muerte a dos personas, mientras m?s de 50 permanecen hospitalizados.

According to Yaquel?n Garc?a Jaens, resident of Bayamo, and Misleidi Calvente Figueredo, of Manzanillo, the quarantine is for a cholera outbreak that has caused the deaths of two persons while 50 others are hospitalized.

Read more: H5N1 / Crofsblogs

[Pathfinder]

Re: Two dead and 50 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

I am not familiar with this source:

Translation (Google)

Contagion spreads in Manzanillo

[02/07/2012] Huber Matos (www.miscelaneasdecuba.net.) -

The hospital in Manzanillo remains under strict security controls. The epidemic had its first outbreaks in the districts of the Vuelta del Ca?o and Auction was extended to the Dagamal neighborhood.

In that city yesterday showed the same symptoms and were hospitalized Ilennia Rosa del Toro and Misael Benitez Jerez. When reporting a patient arrives with the ambulance nurses highly protected, they take the patient and not allow anyone to accompany them.

It has banned the consumption of meat, fish, shrimp and shellfish. It has closed the Combined Meat that was in La Vuelta del Ca?o and where meat was distributed to the area. It also ended the Combined Fishing Manzanillo and fishermen can not go fishing. Only foreigners or Cubans who have convertible currency can buy water and soft drinks are safe from contamination. People have to boil tap water and take care that the flies do not come in contact with food.

Privately, physicians with experience in international missions have recognized the epidemic as cholera. But he has threatened that if the doctors say the cholera epidemic has lost his title and may not hold. Also in the workplace has threatened workers with being penalized if they say it is cholera. Even be fined on the street who mentions it. The population has no information and the food situation is very difficult. It is rumored that the dead are many more than the two that have been reported overseas.

http://www.miscelaneasdecuba.net/web/article.asp?artID=36373

[Giuseppe]

Re: Two dead and 50 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

Provided that above mentioned sources are reliable, suggested quarantine of villages, towns or hospital seems to be a not effective way to contain a cholera outbreak. See below text in red:

Source: World Health Organization, http://www.who.int/mediacentre/facts.../en/index.html
Cholera

<!-- Default DIV wrapper for all story meta data -->Fact sheet N?107
August 2011

<!-- close of the meta div --><HR>Key facts

• Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease that can kill within hours if left untreated.
• There are an estimated 3?5 million cholera cases and 100 000?120 000 deaths due to cholera every year.
• Up to 80% of cases can be successfully treated with oral rehydration salts.
• Effective control measures rely on prevention, preparedness and response.
• Provision of safe water and sanitation is critical in reducing the impact of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
• Oral cholera vaccines are considered an additional means to control cholera, but should not replace conventional control measures.

<HR>Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. Every year, there are an estimated 3?5 million cholera cases and 100 000?120 000 deaths due to cholera. The short incubation period of two hours to five days, enhances the potentially explosive pattern of outbreaks.


Symptoms

Cholera is an extremely virulent disease. It affects both children and adults and can kill within hours.

About 75% of people infected with V. cholerae do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces for 7?14 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people.

Among people who develop symptoms, 80% have mild or moderate symptoms, while around 20% develop acute watery diarrhoea with severe dehydration. This can lead to death if untreated.

People with low immunity ? such as malnourished children or people living with HIV ? are at a greater risk of death if infected.


History

During the 19th century, cholera spread across the world from its original reservoir in the Ganges delta in India. Six subsequent pandemics killed millions of people across all continents. The current (seventh) pandemic started in South Asia in 1961, and reached Africa in 1971 and the Americas in 1991. Cholera is now endemic in many countries.


Vibrio cholerae strains

Two serogroups of V. cholerae ? O1 and O139 ? cause outbreaks. V. cholerae O1 causes the majority of outbreaks, while O139 ? first identified in Bangladesh in 1992 ? is confined to South-East Asia.

Non-O1 and non-O139 V. cholerae can cause mild diarrhoea but do not generate epidemics.

Recently, new variant strains have been detected in several parts of Asia and Africa. Observations suggest that these strains cause more severe cholera with higher case fatality rates. Careful epidemiological monitoring of circulating strains is recommended.

The main reservoirs of V. cholerae are people and aquatic sources such as brackish water and estuaries, often associated with algal blooms. Recent studies indicate that global warming creates a favourable environment for the bacteria.


Risk factors and disease burden

Cholera transmission is closely linked to inadequate environmental management. Typical at-risk areas include peri-urban slums, where basic infrastructure is not available, as well as camps for internally displaced people or refugees, where minimum requirements of clean water and sanitation are not met.

The consequences of a disaster ? such as disruption of water and sanitation systems, or the displacement of populations to inadequate and overcrowded camps ? can increase the risk of cholera transmission should the bacteria be present or introduced. Epidemics have never arisen from dead bodies.

Cholera remains a global threat to public health and a key indicator of lack of social development. Recently, the re-emergence of cholera has been noted in parallel with the ever-increasing size of vulnerable populations living in unsanitary conditions.

The number of cholera cases reported to WHO continues to rise. From 2004 to 2008, cases increased by 24% compared with the period from 2000 to 2004. For 2008 alone, a total of 190 130 cases were notified from 56 countries, including 5143 deaths. Many more cases were unaccounted for due to limitations in surveillance systems and fear of trade and travel sanctions. The true burden of the disease is estimated to be 3?5 million cases and 100 000?120 000 deaths annually.


Prevention and control

A multidisciplinary approach based on prevention, preparedness and response, along with an efficient surveillance system, is key for mitigating cholera outbreaks, controlling cholera in endemic areas and reducing deaths.


Treatment

Cholera is an easily treatable disease. Up to 80% of people can be treated successfully through prompt administration of oral rehydration salts (WHO/UNICEF ORS standard sachet). Very severely dehydrated patients require administration of intravenous fluids. Such patients also require appropriate antibiotics to diminish the duration of diarrhoea, reduce the volume of rehydration fluids needed, and shorten the duration of V. cholerae excretion. Mass administration of antibiotics is not recommended, as it has no effect on the spread of cholera and contributes to increasing antimicrobial resistance.

In order to ensure timely access to treatment, cholera treatment centres (CTCs) should be set up among the affected populations. With proper treatment, the case fatality rate should remain below 1%.


Outbreak response

Once an outbreak is detected, the usual intervention strategy is to reduce deaths by ensuring prompt access to treatment, and to control the spread of the disease by providing safe water, proper sanitation and health education for improved hygiene and safe food handling practices by the community. The provision of safe water and sanitation is a formidable challenge but remains the critical factor in reducing the impact of cholera.


Oral cholera vaccines

There are two types of safe and effective oral cholera vaccines currently available on the market. Both are whole-cell killed vaccines, one with a recombinant B-sub unit, the other without. Both have sustained protection of over 50% lasting for two years in endemic settings.

One vaccine (Dukoral) is WHO prequalified and licensed in over 60 countries. Dukoral has been shown to provide short-term protection of 85?90% against V. cholerae O1 among all age groups at 4?6 months following immunization.

The other vaccine (Shanchol) is pending WHO prequalification and provides longer-term protection against V. cholerae O1 and O139 in children under five years of age.

Both vaccines are administered in two doses given between seven days and six weeks apart. The vaccine with the B-subunit (Dukoral) is given in 150 ml of safe water.

WHO recommends that immunization with currently available cholera vaccines be used in conjunction with the usually recommended control measures in areas where cholera is endemic as well as in areas at risk of outbreaks. Vaccines provide a short term effect while longer term activities like improving water and sanitation are put in place.

When used, vaccination should target vulnerable populations living in high risk areas and should not disrupt the provision of other interventions to control or prevent cholera epidemics. The WHO 3-step decision making tool aims at guiding health authorities in deciding whether to use cholera vaccines in complex emergency settings.

The use of the parenteral cholera vaccine has never been recommended by WHO due to its low protective efficacy and the high occurrence of severe adverse reactions.


Travel and trade

Today, no country requires proof of cholera vaccination as a condition for entry. Past experience shows that quarantine measures and embargoes on the movement of people and goods are unnecessary. Isolated cases of cholera related to imported food have been associated with food in the possession of individual travellers. Consequently, import restrictions on food produced under good manufacturing practices, based on the sole fact that cholera is epidemic or endemic in a country, are not justified.

Countries neighbouring cholera-affected areas are encouraged to strengthen disease surveillance and national preparedness to rapidly detect and respond to outbreaks should cholera spread across borders. Further, information should be provided to travellers and the community on the potential risks and symptoms of cholera, together with precautions to avoid cholera, and when and where to report cases.


WHO response

Through the WHO Global Task Force on Cholera Control, WHO works to:

• provide technical advice and support for cholera control and prevention at country level
• train health professionals at national, regional and international levels in prevention, preparedness and response of diarrhoeal disease outbreaks
• disseminate information and guidelines on cholera and other epidemic-prone enteric diseases to health professionals and the general public.

For more information contact:

WHO Media centre
Telephone: +41 22 791 2222
E-mail: mediainquiries@who.int

+
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[Gert van der Hoek]

Re: Two dead and 50 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

computer translation

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Cuba confirms three deaths from a cholera outbreak in eastern province

In the case of the three deceased were still "rigorous investigations to determine the actual cause of death in each of them."


Cuba's government confirmed an outbreak of cholera in the eastern town of Manzanillo (Granma Province) where he found the bacteria that cause disease in 53 people, of whom three died, according to an official note released today.

"In the total patients seen, different bacteria have been identified and indicating the diagnosis of Vibrio cholerae in 53 cases, including 3 deaths seniors, 95, 70 and 66 years old with a history of chronic diseases," the statement from the Ministry of Health released today in the official newspaper Granma.

In the case of the three deceased were still "rigorous investigations to determine the actual cause of death in each of them."

The note states that the outbreak in the city of Manzanillo "controlled" and the tendency is to lower case as a result of sanitary measures and anti-epidemic conducted in the area.

According to the Ministry of Health in recent weeks has been detected in the island increased diarrheal diseases by the influence of high temperatures and heavy rains.

The province was affected by these ailments Granma and specifically the city of Manzanillo, where there was "an outbreak of gastrointestinal infection, transmitted by water, from contamination of several local supply wells."

In that location is attended to 1,000 patients and performed checks to more than 98 percent of its population.

To control the situation, health authorities took measures as the sampling of private wells and state with the closure of contaminated chlorinated water supply, removal of water leaks or a health education program to the population.

"It has the resources necessary for the proper care of patients in all health institutions," said the Ministry of Public Health urges people to comply with health measures related to personal hygiene, water and food.

A few months ago, officials from the Ministry of Public Health reported that cholera was one of 15 diseases eradicated in Cuba along with others such as polio, malaria and diphtheria, according to information published in the newspaper Granma.

http://www.laprensagrafica.com/lo-del-dia-edi/271240-cuba-confirma-tres-fallecidos-por-un-brote-de-colera-en-provincia-oriental.html

[Giuseppe]

Re: Three dead and 53 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

[Source: Ministerio de Salud Publica, Cuba, full page: (LINK).]

Nota Informativa: incremento de las enfermedades diarreicas agudas


El Ministerio de Salud P?blica informa que durante las ?ltimas semanas se ha venido reportando, en algunos territorios, una tendencia al incremento de las enfermedades diarreicas agudas, lo que ha estado influenciado por las altas temperaturas e intensas lluvias.

Una de las provincias que mayor incidencia ha registrado es Granma, correspondiendo la mayor?a de los casos al municipio de Manzanillo, donde se ha producido un brote de infecci?n gastrointestinal, de transmisi?n h?drica, a partir de la contaminaci?n de varios pozos de abastecimiento local, lo cual se ha estado informando por los medios de prensa de ese territorio.

Se han atendido aproximadamente 1 000 pacientes, en lo que ha repercutido positivamente la pesquisa activa realizada a m?s del 98 % de la poblaci?n del municipio.

En el total de pacientes atendidos, han sido identificados diferentes g?rmenes, precis?ndose el diagn?stico del Vibri?n Cholerae en 53 casos, de ellos 3 fallecidos adultos mayores, de 95, 70 y 66 a?os de edad, con antecedentes de enfermedades cr?nicas, a lo que se adicion? la infecci?n gastrointestinal, por lo que se contin?a en las investigaciones de rigor para determinar la causa real de muerte en cada uno de ellos.

Este brote de la ciudad de Manzanillo est? controlado y su tendencia es a la reducci?n de casos, como resultado de las medidas higi?nico-sanitarias y antiepid?micas que se est?n ejecutando, entre las que se encuentran el muestreo de los pozos de agua particulares y estatales, con la clausura de los contaminados, el abasto de agua clorada por las conductoras y en pipas para las zonas afectadas, la supresi?n de salideros de agua, limpieza de fosas e higienizaci?n, as? como un programa de educaci?n sanitaria a la poblaci?n. Se cuenta con los recursos necesarios para la adecuada atenci?n de los pacientes en todas las instituciones de salud.Se exhorta a la poblaci?n a cumplir las medidas sanitarias relacionadas con la higiene personal, del agua y los alimentos.


Ministerio de Salud P?blica
2 de julio del 2012
"A?o 54 de la Revoluci?n"

-
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[Pathfinder]

Re: Three dead and 53 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

3 dead in Cuban cholera outbreak, officials say

<!--endclickprintinclude--><!--startclickprintexclude--><!--no partner-->By Patrick Oppmann, CNN
July 3, 2012 -- Updated 1536 GMT (2336 HKT)


Havana, Cuba (CNN) -- A cholera outbreak in eastern Cuba has infected 53 people and killed three, according to a Cuban Health Ministry note published by state media Tuesday.
...
The outbreak took place in Granma province, according to the Health Ministry, after approximately 1,000 cases of severe diarrhea were reported there over the last several weeks.

As a result, the ministry said several drinking wells in the area were contaminated.
...

Full text:

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/03/world/americas/cuba-cholera/

[Pathfinder]

Re: Three dead and 53 hospitalized for cholera in eastern Cuba

Translation Google

Reported 15 deaths from cholera in eastern Cuba

Details Posted on Thursday, July 5, 2012 14:55 For Coffee Strong.

By Calixto R. Mart?nez *

Bayamo. - At least 15 deaths are reported as victims of the cholera outbreak in the eastern province of Granma, where over hundreds of people remain hospitalized with the disease.

Testimonials obtained between residents and public health personnel in Bayamo, Manzanillo and other localities of the territory between 15 and 16 show the deaths from the epidemic, which was officially accepted by the Cuban authorities. The information was corroborated with nine respondents from the area.

"The dead go 16", said Enrique Pineiro, who lives in the city of Manzanillo.
"Now I had reliable news, only, between Saturday and Sunday killed four people.

"Pineiro said the figure was 16 deaths due to cholera, but death certificates are trying to hide it.

?Acute Respiratory Failure or anger?

"I can assure it among the dead, there is a 56 year old lady who lives here in the [division] ICP, a gentleman of La Pesquera and other Yara is the town ... all they have placed on the death certificate Acute Respiratory Failure "he said.

An employee who has direct access to death certificates issued in hospitals, confirmed, on condition of anonymity that the dead are being placing respiratory failure as a cause of death.

On July 3, an Official Note from the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) recognized the existence of an outbreak of cholera in the eastern region, leaving three dead and 50 hospitalized. Have not been disclosed so far the names of the dead, all older adults.

The Public Health Ministry statement said the outbreak of Manzanillo is already controlled and tend to reduce cases as a result of measures implemented by health authorities.

The government placed the cholera epidemic as part of an increase in acute diarrheal illness nationally in recent weeks because of high temperatures and heavy rains that hit the country.

Official information delayed

But unofficial reports began circulating on outbreaks of dengue in Havana and central provinces, which has launched the alarm of the authorities.

Many of the data are filtered to the population variables, as polyclinics and hospitals, especially the Provincial Hospital "Celia Sanchez" are taken by the Ministry of Interior to prevent access to information on deaths.

The provincial press has not made further references to the cholera outbreak. In its issue of Thursday, the newspaper La Demajagua dedicated an article to Centennial Children's Hospital of Manzanillo, without reference to the treatment of diarrheal affectations that plague the area.

Mario Garcia, a resident of Crescent Township, said "there is a tremendous fear to tell the truth to the people."

"There are already cases of cholera in Pilon and Niquero, and here are holding meetings to alert about the outbreak of diarrhea, but that's anger, here and everywhere," Garcia said.

"I have a niece who is a doctor in the [hospital] ' Celia Sanchez 'and I am informed that the deceased exceeding 15 ".

Arrests and fines

Citizens interviewed in Manzanillo said several people caught talking about the epidemic of cholera in the streets, have been arrested and taken to a unit of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR).

"Here it is forbidden to mention the name of cholera, and has been arrested and temporarily detained in units of the PNR, threatened to take prisoners and fined," complained Pineiro.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was informed about the outbreak and the measures of surveillance and control activated in the country. Although the Cuban government has not officially requested assistance to address the crisis, PAHO is monitoring the situation and offered advice and cooperation and availability in the event that the country needed.

In Cuba there are reported outbreaks of cholera since 1882 in the colonial era. The most recent epidemic in the region hit Haiti in 2012.

* Talk Correspondent Press agency. This information is a special collaboration Caf?Fuerte.

http://cafefuerte.com/cuba/noticias-de-cuba/sociedad/1980-reportan-15-muertos-por-colera-en-cuba

[Shiloh]

Re: Reportedly 15 dead for cholera in Cuba

Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/07/0...5-sickens.html

Cholera reportedly kills 15, sickens hundreds in eastern Cuba
People in Cuba say hospitals are chaotic and being controlled by security agents who don?t want alarming reports to get out.

By Juan O. Tamayo
jtamayo@ElNuevoHerald.com

The first cholera outbreak in Cuba in a century has left at least 15 dead and sent hundreds to hospitals all but sealed off by security agents bent on keeping a lid on the news, according to reports Friday.

?There are 1,000-plus cases? in the southeastern province of Granma, said Yoandris Montoya, who lives in Bayamo, the provincial capital.

Security agents have locked down the city?s hospital, he added, but staff told him the situation inside is ?chaotic...?

[Shiloh]

Re: Reportedly 15 dead of cholera in Cuba- a case in Havana

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-18758325

July 2012 Last updated at 21:04 ET
Cuban cholera outbreak reaches Havana

The BBC has learned that a patient has been diagnosed with cholera in the Cuban capital, Havana, days after three people died in a rare outbreak in the south-eastern town of Manzanillo...

[Shiloh]

Re: Reportedly 15 dead of cholera in Cuba- a case in Havana

Source: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...ede3a49d7a07c8

Cuba scrambles to fight rare cholera outbreak
By ANNE-MARIE GARCIA, Associated Press ? 4 hours ago

HAVANA (AP) ? Authorities in eastern Cuba are in full prevention mode to contain a rare cholera outbreak amid fears that it may have spread to the capital, distributing chlorine and water purification drops and quarantining hospital patients with diarrhea until they are checked for the disease.

In the eastern city of Manzanillo, in Granma province, cars crawl through the streets with loudspeakers reminding people of the importance of good hygiene, and the sale of oysters at private kiosks has been suspended, according to several residents interviewed by The Associated Press. But there has been no travel quarantine on the city, and the streets are calm even if some people are jittery...

[Giuseppe]

Re: Reportedly 15 dead of cholera in Cuba- a case in Havana

[Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, full page: (LINK).]

Epidemiological update: Ongoing outbreak of cholera in Cuba, potential risk for European travellers

10 Jul 2012 / ECDC


On 3 July the Cuban Ministry of Health confirmed an outbreak of cholera in the south-western city of Manzanillo. It is the first time in almost 150 years that an outbreak of cholera is reported in the island. The heavy rains and the high temperatures during the previous weeks have likely influenced the occurrence of the disease. As of 3 July, 53 cases of Vibrio cholerae, including three deaths, have been officially confirmed.

Since 7 July, several media sources report a higher number of cases and the disease has spread to other cities including the capital, Havana.

At this stage there is no information available about the outbreak strain, nor of the origin of the outbreak.
According to the Ministry of Health in Cuba, control measures have been implemented, including sampling and closure of contaminated private and public wells, treatment of waste water, provision of chlorinated water in the pipes of the affected areas, and public awareness is being raised about the importance of good sanitary and hygiene practices.

ECDC is closely monitoring the cholera situation in Cuba and is working in collaboration with the World Health Organization to assess the potential risk for infection of European citizens travelling to Cuba. A rapid risk assessment, primarily intended for public health professionals, will shortly be published on the ECDC website.

Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae of serogroups O1 or O139. Consumption of contaminated water and food results in infection. After a short incubation period of less than five days, the typical symptoms might develop, characterised by vomiting and watery (?rice water?) diarrhoea. With timely treatment (mainly fluid replacement), less than 1% of patients with symptoms die.


The disease has not been endemic in Europe for a long time, and thanks to high hygiene standards the potential for imported cases to generate further ones is very low.

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