Cholera Outbreak in Haiti 2010-2011

The cholera epidemic that started with just a few cases soon found its way in all the corners of the republic of Haiti and this was a major blow to the public health and sanitation of the country. For the nation that had not experienced cholera cases in more than 100 years, this was one of the most devastating catastrophes of all time. For a disease that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration that can lead to death within 48 hours, Haitian authorities and supporting organizations were fighting against time to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the cholera outbreak. This article review explores the efforts made by various actors to contain the outbreak, the retrospective review looks at the origin, magnitude of the catastrophe, the efforts to contain it, the factors that aided the spread and the public health social determinants that would have helped reduce the magnitude.