CI safe from cholera but Cuba travellers warned
(CNS): Despite the recent outbreak of cholera in the neighbouring island of Cuba, public officials in Cayman reassured residents that the islands remain cholera free and are not at risk of an outbreak of the waterborne disease as a result of modern water and sewage treatment systems. However, following confirmation of the disease in at least three provinces in Cuba — Havana, Santiago de Cuba, and Camaguey — health officials advise anyone travelling there to take extra precautions and remain vigilant regarding the disease. Acting Medical Officer of Health, Dr Samuel Williams, has issued an updated travel advisory.
There are no travel restrictions to Cuba, or to Haiti and the Dominican Republic, which are also affected by outbreaks, but travellers are advised to be aware of the basic cholera facts and to observe basic cholera prevention recommendations, including frequent hand-washing practices and consuming food and water that are known to be safe.
“We ask anyone who has travelled to Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic to contact their doctor immediately should they develop watery diarrhoea and vomiting within five days of leaving. It is also important to state their travel history to their doctor,” Dr Williams advised.
To ensure readiness, the Public Health Department called a multi-agency preparedness meeting on Thursday, 29 August, when Health Minister Osbourne Bodden said he was impressed by the preparations and applauded the public health officials and healthcare professionals, as well as all other relevant stakeholders, for their efforts to detect and manage imported cases.
For more information on cholera please call the Public Health Department on 244-2621.
Tips for Prevention below.
Category: Health
A quick google search of cholera and how it is caught/spread should clear up some of the issues people are having. Funny to see how some people rather write an ignorant comment than to research and make sure they know what they are talking about first. Lol.
I have been very disturbed by the development of cholera in Cuba, As I am sure the entire country is aware, there are Cubans flying in here five days per week, returning from trips to Miami. I get the misfortune of being on one of those flights every four weeks. I have to travel with my child who is on a course of very strong chemo-therapy. I am very concerned about thiss, because if she picks up any little germ, it could present a life-threatening experience for her. When I query the large amount of the people on those flights, I am told that they are makng a profit for the airline, so I guess others do not matter. The Cubans I have encountered on those flights are pushy, loud and belligerent. Once in a while I meet one who is a genuine person, but that is seldom. I just thought I would mention that.
Osbourne you should not allow the travel of Caymanians to Cuba until this epedimic is cleared. I know it wont be long before some Caymanian is going to return with it. Prevention is better than cure. You have to be absoutely stupid to travel there now. You will be playing with your lives.
And for those that have to go, how about some advice as what to do, what not to do, what to avoid etc etc…
Travellers to Cuba can greatly reduce the risk of contracting the disease by following these practices:
Drink only bottled, boiled or chemically-treated water and/or bottled or canned beverages.
Ensure that seals are unbroken when using bottled drinks.
Disinfect your own water: boil for one minute or filter the water and add two drops of household bleach or half an iodine tablet per litre of water.
Use bottled, boiled or chemically-treated water to wash dishes and brush teeth.
Use ice in your drink only if you know it was made from boiled or treated water.
Wash your hands often with soap and clean water.
Clean your hands before you eat or prepare foods, and after using the bathroom.
Eat foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still hot, or fruit that you have peeled yourself.
Cook all vegetables. Do not eat salads or other raw vegetables.
Do not buy food or beverages from street vendors.