Cholera in Cuba: Risk is low for European travelers
Image/CIA
In a follow-up to an earlier story about the cholera outbreak in Cuba, European health authorities say the overall risk of cholera infection in travelers visiting Cuba should still be considered low, according to a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Rapid Risk Assessment published Thursday.
However, health officials say the risk has increased because of the high proportion of tourists visiting Havana and the fact that the affected geographical area is expanding.
Because of recent and ongoing cholera outbreaks in Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic, travelers to these countries should seek medical advice prior to travel.
As of 14 January 2013, 51 cases of cholera have been confirmed in Havana and were subtyped to be Vibrio cholerae toxigenic serogroup O1, serotype Ogawa, biotype El Tor.
The Cuban authorities are taking measures to raise awareness among the population, improve sanitary and food hygiene, including water treatment and supply, and provide clinical care.
During the summer of 2012, Cuba faced their first cholera outbreak in nearly a century and a half.
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This is very sad but now, the Cuban cholera outbreaks recurring every few months and, it will be like this, until they eventually become the new normal like their Dengue epidemics, the Tuberculosis outbreaks, the Yellow fever and Hepatitis (full spectrum) among other plagues that are recurring there all the time and claiming an increasing number of victims all over the island.
This is like this, because beyond the beautiful private beeches (only for Europeans and Canadians) beyond the “Cayo Coco” the “Cayo Largo” the Melias Hotels and the “Varadero Beaches and Hotels” and beyond the many other government run resorts that exist in a Island, there are 11 million people living in a collapsed society among ruins and rats and roaches with no bleach or disinfectant not even alcohol or soap and sleeping in mattresses that can be 50 years old and in neighborhoods with constant eruptions in the streets of black waters and no potable water.
See: Youtube = El Nuevo Arte de Hacer Ruinas … Cuba, el paraíso de America Latina…
Google = Sick vacationers continue to land from Cuba
Yes, the risk may be low for the European traveler but the traveler to Cuba must be aware that, the Cuban government is more concern with his image and his profits that, with the well being of any tourist or his family and, in the case you or any member of your family gets sick, try suing the Cuban government!..
Good Luck!