Health experts call for border surveillance amid Cholera outbreak in Haiti

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Society of Infectious Diseases has urged the Ministry of Public Health to take immediate action following the detection of a cholera outbreak in Haiti. The organization called for reinforced epidemiological and environmental surveillance at border crossings and other high-risk areas to prevent the spread of the disease into Dominican territory.

The Society warned that the risk of cholera resurgence in the Dominican Republic has risen sharply due to the ongoing migration of Haitians, increased mobility in border regions, and current weather conditions marked by heavy rains and low water levels — factors that can facilitate the transmission of Vibrio cholerae through contaminated water.

Health authorities are advised to strengthen early detection, community education, and access to safe water, while ensuring rapid response to suspected cases. The organization reaffirmed its readiness to support national efforts through technical training, protocol updates, and public awareness initiatives in line with WHO and PAHO guidelines.

According to recent data, Haiti reported 112 suspected cholera cases in early October, including 10 confirmed, 43 hospitalizations, and 2 deaths — mostly in the Ouest department, home to Port-au-Prince. So far in 2025, the country has recorded 2,797 suspected cases, 114 confirmed infections, 2,023 hospitalizations, and 47 deaths, underscoring ongoing community transmission and resurgence in densely populated areas.