Health authorities confirm 35 new cholera cases

Santo Domingo.– An outbreak of cholera hit the Espaillat Province, in the Dominican northern region, on Sunday, with 35 cases confirmed among more than 100 people treated in public and private hospitals.

According to local press reports, Health Minister Freddy Lugo ordered in Santiago de los Caballeros to reinforce services. Dr. Domingo Perez, the affected area’s director, said the worst situation is registered in Las Amapolas, La Bandada, Guauci Abajo, Paso de Moca, La Ermita, Cuero Duro and other communities in San Victor and Moca.

Toribio Bencosme hospital director Pedro Arroyo said 32 people were in critical condition on Saturday.

Since November 2010, when the first case was detected –after coming from the Haiti border–, cholera has affected 26,253 people with 408 deaths.