GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) which is part of the Ministry of Public Health, continues surveillance for Cholera, and also maintains its travel advisory for persons traveling to Hispanola (Haiti, Dominican Republic).
Holiday travelers who will be spending the holidays in one of the aforementioned countries for the Christmas/New Years are strongly advised to follow basic hygienic habits, Minister of Public Health Hon. Cornelius de Weever said on Sunday.
As part of the Minister's 'Get Checked,' campaign, vacationers who return to the island and display symptoms of cholera are strongly advised to get checked by visiting their family physician.
CPS continues to maintain Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommendations such as surveillance activities to detect the occurrence of outbreaks and implementing intervention actions to reduce cholera spread determinants.
CPS was informed about the imported cholera case on the North side of the island by French health authorities, and linkages with persons on the Dutch side were ruled out. Physicians have been reminded to be on alert for signs/symptoms of cholera.
Cholera is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water. It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration and death within hours.
Cholera is transmitted through fecal contamination of water and food. In places where there is infrastructure damage, the lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene can increase the risk of cholera, as well as numerous other diarrhea diseases.
While on vacation ensure that you take vital precautions such as hygienic food preparation, boiling or purifying all water, and washing hands often with soap and clean water.
Symptoms can occur within 24 to 48 hours of being infected with the cholera causing bacteria. Cholera symptoms are generally mild; they include diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. About one infected person out of 20 has severe signs and symptoms, such as increased heart rate, dehydration, and shock. Immediately consult your physician if you have travelled and have any of the symptoms, while maintaining proper hygiene.
To minimize the number of people infected, frequent hand washing, personal hygiene, safe water use and food preparation are a necessity. Maintain these basic hygienic habits as you travel.
By taking a few basic precautions, cholera as well as most other food and water-borne diseases can easily be prevented. The main rule is, always be aware of the quality of what you eat and drink. Enjoy and keep safe as you travel and help us keep Sint Maarten Cholera Free!
Cholera continues to take a heavy toll on Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Cholera has claimed more than 7,750 lives in Haiti and infected over 620,000.
