From Cayman Islands Public Health Department

Medical Officer of Health Dr Kiran Kumar has issued an update on the Cholera situation in Cuba. As at 28 August 2012, Cuba reports a total of 417 confirmed cholera cases and the deaths remain at three, in Manzanillo province of Granma.

“A few isolated cases with travel history to Manzanillo were recorded in Santiago de Cuba, Guantanamo, and La Havana. Most cases occurred in adults and all were infected with V. Cholera toxigenic, serogroup 01, serotype Ogawa, biotype El Tor. As of 30 August, no new cholera cases have been confirmed in the country since more than 15 days ago. Nevertheless, the Cuban authorities continue implementing prevention actions and conducting surveillance activities to detect and rapidly contain new outbreaks if they occur,” said Dr. Kumar.

“While it is good to note that there are no more confirmed cases of Cholera in Cuba the past 15 days, travellers to Cuba are still advised to contact their doctor immediately should they develop watery diarrhoea and vomiting within five days of leaving Cuba. It is also important to state their travel history to their doctor. This advisory is applicable to travellers to Haiti and Dominican Republic including other countries in the region affected by Cholera,” he added.