Public Health activates cholera prevention protocol amid outbreak in Haiti

Santo Domingo.- Public Health Minister Víctor Atallah announced that the government has activated prevention and surveillance protocols in response to the recent cholera outbreak in Haiti, aiming to prevent the disease from reaching the Dominican Republic. The measure includes reinforced epidemiological monitoring in border areas with support from the Ministries of Defense and Immigration, deployment of 86 health personnel, water quality testing, distribution of hygiene kits and informational materials in Creole and Spanish, and provision of medication for suspected cases — none of which have been detected so far.

Atallah emphasized that no active cholera cases have been reported in the country. However, due to the heavy rains and flooding caused by Hurricane Melissa, health authorities have also intensified nationwide epidemiological surveillance to prevent outbreaks of water- and vector-borne diseases such as diarrhea, hepatitis A, leptospirosis, dengue, and respiratory infections. The ministry is coordinating with the Emergency Operations Center (COE), INDRHI, and various regional water authorities to ensure clean water supply and reinforce chlorination and disinfection systems.

Authorities urged citizens to take precautionary measures, including avoiding contact with stagnant or contaminated water, boiling water before consumption, covering storage containers, and maintaining proper hygiene. The Ministry continues daily monitoring of at-risk provinces and sampling of water sources as part of the national health response plan. Atallah reiterated that the government’s top priority is to protect lives and prevent disease, highlighting that prevention and public cooperation are crucial in the post-hurricane recovery phase.