Cholera Alert!

An outbreak of Cholera was recently confirmed among persons living in some provinces of Haiti. Persons who have travelled to Haiti recently (or been in contact with persons who have recently returned from Haiti) who experience diarrhea and or vomiting are asked to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest Health Centre or Casualty Department.

Cholera is a highly infectious disease caused by ingestion of food or water contaminated with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. Persons affected by this disease suffer severe watery diarrhoea and vomiting, which can quickly lead to severe dehydration and death.

Most cases can be treated with oral rehydration salts, while more severe cases need hospitalization, treatment with intravenous fluids and appropriate antibiotics. The goal of treatment is to replace the fluids lost due to the diarrhoea and vomiting.

Persons living on Montserrat need not be overly concerned about the risk of an outbreak of cholera on island, as the quality of our water supply is closely monitored, and we have adequate means for the safe disposal of human waste.