Following a cholera outbreak in Cuba, Cayman’s Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kiran Kumar has issued a travel advisory recommending travel to that country on an essential basis only.

According to media reports Cuba is facing a cholera outbreak 130 years after the last known case of the disease on the Island.  As at 7 July at least 15 people are dead, and over one thousand persons are affected by the current cholera outbreak.

“We advise that residents travel to Cuba only when necessary. 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,” said Dr. Kumar,

“The chances of importation of cholera into Cayman are limited and 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 cases should importation occur,” he added.

Cholera is an acute intestinal infection caused by ingesting contaminated food or water with cholera bacterium. It can take anywhere from five hours to five days for symptoms to appear after infection, but usually symptoms appear within 24-48 hours.  Cholera infection is often mild or without symptoms but can sometimes be severe.            Approximately one in 20 (or 5% of) infected persons will have severe disease characterized by profuse watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and leg cramps. In these people, rapid loss of body fluids leads to dehydration and shock. Without treatment, death can occur within hours.

According to WHO figures however, up to 80 percent of cases can be treated successfully with oral rehydration salts. Although there is an oral vaccine available for use in endemic countries, it is not available in the US or in Cayman.

To ensure ultimate readiness, the Public Health Department is calling a multi agency preparedness meeting this week.

Minister of Health Mark Scotland said, “I am pleased that the Medical Officer of Health has alerted the health professionals and issued the travel warning.”

Whilst Dr. Kumar notes that the risk of importation of cholera is low, he applauds the pro-active efforts by various agencies in monitoring the cholera situation in Cuba and taking the necessary steps to prevent, detect and manage any imported cholera cases.

Dr.  Kumar urges travellers returning from Cuba who develop diarrhoea within five days to contact a doctor immediately, and state their travel history so that the right diagnosis can be made.

Side Bar: Tips for Prevention

Travellers to Cuba 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 from NEWSER:

Just days after cholera broke out in Cuba’s southeastern city of Manzanillo, a case has been discovered in the capital, Havana, reports the BBC. Authorities say a contaminated well was responsible for the outbreak, which has killed three people and infected 50 so far. Another 1,000 are being treated and four hospitals are prepared to take additional victims, though doctors say the outbreak is under control.

Cholera has not broken out in Cuba since 1959 and heath care officials are not sure where this outbreak came from. But with hundreds of Cuban doctors, nurses, and health professionals having worked in Haiti, where cholera exploded in 2010, many believe that is the most likely source.

For more go to:

www.newser.com/story/149678/50-cubans-infected-in-cholera-outbreak.html