Following international media reports, and the United States State Department’s security message regarding concerns of a renewed cholera outbreak in Cuba, the [Cayman Islands] Ministry of Health and the Public Health Department say that they are aware of the reports.

Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Samuel Williams states that “although there is no official word on the situation in Cuba, it is our responsibility to empower the public by informing them of the situation.” He also outlined preventive measures for visitors to Cuba.  “At this time, there are no travel restrictions. However, if you have to go, take vital precautions, such as: ensuring hygienic food preparation, boiling or purifying all water, and washing hands often with soap and clean water. Travellers should also carry an ample supply of oral rehydration salts”.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingesting food or water contaminated with cholera bacterium. It can take anywhere from five hours to five days for symptoms to appear after infection, although symptoms usually occur within 24-48 hours. Cholera infection is often mild or without symptoms, but can sometimes be severe.

Travellers to Cuba are advised to contact their doctor immediately should they develop watery diarrhoea and vomiting within five days of leaving Cuba. It is also very important to state their travel history to their doctor. This advice is also applicable to travellers to Haiti and the Dominican Republic – the two other countries in the region currently affected by cholera.

The Minister for Health, the Honourable Osbourne Bodden, encourages all travellers to Cuba and the other affected countries to take all necessary precautions. Minister Bodden went on to state that “the Public Health Department and the Ministry will continue to monitor the situation closely, and we will keep the public informed of any developments.”

Dr. Williams reemphasised that, “Cholera is not present in the Cayman Islands, and the chances of importation of cholera are limited. Even if it occurs, our excellent sanitation and safe water will prevent its spread. In addition, we have adequate facilities and drugs to manage any case should importation occur.”

Side Bar: Tips for Prevention

Travellers to Cuba or any endemic countries can greatly reduce the risk of contracting the disease by following these practices:

•          Drink only bottled, boiled or chemically-treated water and/or bottled or canned beverages.

•          Ensure that seals are unbroken when using bottled drinks.

•          Disinfect your own water: boil for one minute or filter the water and add two drops of household bleach or half an iodine tablet per litre of water.

•          Use bottled, boiled or chemically-treated water to wash dishes and brush teeth.

•          Use ice in your drink only if you know it was made from boiled or treated water.

•          Wash your hands often with soap and clean water.

•          Clean your hands before you eat or prepare foods, and after using the bathroom.

•          Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot, or fruit that you have peeled yourself.

•          Cook all vegetables. Do not eat salads or other raw vegetables.

•          Do not buy food or beverages from street vendors.

Related story:

Cholera In Cuba: US Travel Advisory Issued, Havana Silent On Risk

From The Inquisitr

Cholera in Cuba has been sickening locals and travelers alike in alarming numbers this summer, with suspicion swirling that reporting on the outbreak has been suppressed to avoid harming tourism in Havana.

Despite conflicting reports of Cholera in Cuba, the US diplomatic mission in Havana released a Cholera warning to US citizens who may live in or travel to the country advising certain precautions be taken to avoid infection.

In the warning, posted in a PDF to the diplomatic mission’s website, the agency explains that cases of Cholera in Cuba have been reported in recent weeks, beginning:

“This message is to inform U.S. citizens residing in or visiting Cuba that media reports have indicated that cases of cholera have been identified in the city of Havana, possibly linked to a reported outbreak of cholera in eastern Cuba. The Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert noting the presence of cholera in Cuba and confirming that foreign travelers have contracted cholera during recent trips to Cuba.”

The statement advises travelers to avoid Cholera in Cuba through simple measures that prevent infection, noting that water sources as well as risky food (such as ceviche) can transmit the dangerous disease:

“Eating or drinking fecally contaminated food or water is the main risk factor. Unsterilized water, food from street vendors, raw fish dishes (e.g. ceviche) and inadequately cooked (e.g. steamed) shellfish are common sources of infection.”

Sherri Porcelain is a senior lecturer in global public health in world affairs at the University of Miami, and Porcelain has been monitoring the ongoing Cholera in Cuba situation. She says:

“The lack of transparency coming from Cuba is truly bothersome. Sharing of information in a timely fashion is most essential for prevention … yet they post no information, no information at all.”

It is suspected that Cholera in Cuba has been on the rise after it was brought over by aid workers stationed in Haiti, where thousands have died of the illness since a devastating earthquake destroyed much of the struggling country’s infrastructure in 2010.
For more on this story go to:

http://www.inquisitr.com/916276/cholera-in-cuba-us-travel-advisory-issued-havana-silent-on-risk/

The complete advisory is posted below

U.S. Interests Section Havana, Cuba

Security Message –Cholera Outbreak

August 20, 2013

This message is to inform U.S. citizens residing in or visiting Cuba that media reports have indicated that cases of cholera have been identified in the city of

Havana, possibly linked to a reported outbreak of cholera in eastern Cuba. The Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO) issued an epidemiological alert noting the presence of cholera in Cuba and confirming that foreign travellers have contracted cholera during recent trips to Cuba.

Eating or drinking fecally contaminated food or water is the main risk factor. Unsterilized water, food from street vendors, raw fish dishes (e.g. ceviche) and inadequately cooked (e.g. steamed) shellfish are common sources of infection.

We urge you to follow public health recommendations and guidelines, such as safe food and water precautions and frequent hand washing to help prevent cholera infection. The Cuban Ministry of Public Health is urging people to comply with sanitary measures associated with personal hygiene, water and food. The

U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization both provide information about cholera to the travelling public.

U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S. Department of State’s, Bureau of Consular Affairs website, where the current Worldwide Caution,Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information can be found. The U.S. Interests Section also encourages U.S. citizens to review “A Safe Trip Abroad,” which includes valuable security information for those both living and traveling abroad. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. You can also download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips. In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up–to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or outside the United States and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

U.S. Interests Section

Address: Calzada between L and M Streets, Vedado, Havana

Telephone: (53)(7)-839-4100

For after hours emergencies, please call the main switchboard at (+53)(7) 839-4100 and dial 1 to speak with the emergency operator.