US officials issue cholera warning for Cuba

The US Interests Section in Havana, Cuba issued a “security message” for US citizens residing in or traveling to the  island, concerning the risks of cholera, which has been identified in the capital of Havana.

Officials say the presence of the bacterium in Havana may  possibly linked to a reported outbreak of cholera in eastern Cuba.

Image/CIA

“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 advisory notes.

Last week, The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) released a cholera update for several areas of the Caribbean, including Cuba.

The report states, in early 2013, the National IHR Focal Point of Cuba reported that by January 14, there were 51 confirmed cases of cholera in an outbreak in Havana, related to food handling. Previously, a total of 47 cholera cases had been reported, following Hurricane Sandy, in the provinces of Camaguey, Guantanamo and Santiago de Cuba. All cases were characterized as Vibrio cholerae toxigenic serogroup O1, serotype Ogawa, biotype El Tor.

In addition, in the past several weeks, there has been five cases (Italy (1), Venezuela (2) and Chile (2)) of cholera reported, all related to travel to Cuba.

LISTEN: Yale researcher discusses Haiti cholera outbreak and link to UN peacekeepers

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.

For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page