Cholera in Haiti...be aware

[jorapp]

Althought I am sure Labadee is perfectly safe, just be aware Cholera is a growing issue in Haiti.

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/23/world/americas/23cholera.html

 

Just thought you might want to know...

[cb at sea]

When folks are living in tent cities...this is bound to happen. Wonder where all of the money folks donated after the earthquake went? Sure didn't seem to help the citizens of Haiti, did it?

[lookgood2]

dont be so sure that Labadee Haiti is so safe....State Department has issued a warning to travelers and has asked everyone to stay away......

[BND]

dont be so sure that Labadee Haiti is so safe....State Department has issued a warning to travelers and has asked everyone to stay away......

 

I think the State Dept was referring to individuals traveling to Haiti, not cruise ships visitng a very safe, very protected private beach where there is controlled water and food preparation and supplies. No one on Labadee is drinking river water.

 

The current concern is for the tent cities and rural areas.

 

Everyone does realize that Samana Dominican Republic shares a border with Haiti, right? Why isn't anyone panicking over that close relationship? Illness doesn't recognize borders drawn on maps. Geez.

[heidikay]

I think the State Dept was referring to individuals traveling to Haiti, not cruise ships visitng a very safe, very protected private beach where there is controlled water and food preparation and supplies. No one on Labadee is drinking river water.

 

The current concern is for the tent cities and rural areas.

 

Everyone does realize that Samana Dominican Republic shares a border with Haiti, right? Why isn't anyone panicking over that close relationship? Illness doesn't recognize borders drawn on maps. Geez.

 

I'm actually visiting both ports in December so I'll be keeping an eye on this. I agree I think there is more to be concerned about in Samana.

[BND]

We'll be in both ports in mid Nov. The hysteria I've seen by a few posters is over the top. As I've said on another thread an someone else reinforced, the risk of malaria is a lot higher yet people don't stop visiting ports where it's an issue.

[heidikay]

We'll be in both ports in mid Nov. The hysteria I've seen by a few posters is over the top. As I've said on another thread an someone else reinforced, the risk of malaria is a lot higher yet people don't stop visiting ports where it's an issue.

 

 

I'm kind of a worry wart and was already debating getting off the ship in Samana because of the malaria. Some of things mentioned to do there sounded like it would increase exposure to mosquitos like visiting tropical forests to see waterfalls. Do you have any plans for Samana?

 

Labadee doesn't bother me as much. I figure the mosquitos won't be hanging around in the sun on the beach. Cholera doesn't scare me that much either. I always drink water but might opt to drink something else in Labadee though just to be cautious. And I don't think the cruise line would ever let us off the ship if they thought we or the crew were at risk for this.

 

I'm travelling with my three children so I'm extra cautious. You can't even give blood for a year after visiting these ports even if you don't leave the ship so I guess there is at least room for concern.

[BND]

I'm kind of a worry wart and was already debating getting off the ship in Samana because of the malaria. Some of things mentioned to do there sounded like it would increase exposure to mosquitos like visiting tropical forests to see waterfalls. Do you have any plans for Samana?

 

Labadee doesn't bother me as much. I figure the mosquitos won't be hanging around in the sun on the beach. Cholera doesn't scare me that much either. I always drink water but might opt to drink something else in Labadee though just to be cautious. And I don't think the cruise line would ever let us off the ship if they thought we or the crew were at risk for this.

 

I'm travelling with my three children so I'm extra cautious. You can't even give blood for a year after visiting these ports even if you don't leave the ship so I guess there is at least room for concern.

 

We were in Samana in March and went to Cayo Levantado. We're staying onboard this time, not becuase of any feat, but because we weren't that impressed. We plan to maybe do some spa things and enjoy being able to sit near the pool.

 

Cholera is not a problem and even the CDC says the risk is almost nonexistent as long as you don't do risky things (drinking untreated water mainly). The ship provides all the food and drinks so no issue.

 

In Belize, where there is also a malaria risk, we went on an excursion that took us to the rain forest and we got bit a couple of times by mosquitoes before I got my Off wipes out and used them. We didn't catch anything either. Most of these diseases take multiple exposures to catch.

[sutuz]

I've posted this on several other threads under this topic, but in the event anyone might miss it on the general RCCL board, here it is again - this is a direct response from CDC to an email I sent asking specificially about getting off the ship in Labadee. The second paragraph is the one that really concerns us cruisers.

 

Thank you for your inquiry to CDC-INFO. We understand your concerns. In response to your request for information on travel to Haiti and the cholera outbreak, we can provide you with the following information.

Travelers who follow usual tourist itineraries and who observe food safety recommendations while in countries reporting cholera have virtually no risk. But, there are some simple rules you can follow to reduce your risk of getting the disease.

CDC recommends that you drink water only if it's been:

* boiled,

* treated with chlorine, or

* treated with iodine.

It's also safe to drink:

* coffee or tea that is made with boiled water, and

* bottled carbonated drinks with no ice.

You should also:

* Only eat hot food if it has been cooked all the way through and is still hot;

* Only eat fruit that he or she has peeled him/herself;

* Avoid fish or shellfish, like shrimp, crabs, or clams, that are raw or that haven't been cooked all the way through, including ceviche;

* Make sure all vegetables are cooked;

* Avoid salads;

* Avoid foods and drinks from street vendors; and

* Not bring seafood that is perishable (will spoil) back to the U.S.

A simple rule to follow when traveling is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget it."

CDC has confirmed that the laboratory results have confirmed that Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 or O139, which causes cholera, is the cause of the outbreak of acute watery diarrhea in 2 provinces in Haiti. Haiti Ministry of Health lab staff and a CDC laboratory technician worked side by side in Haiti's national laboratory to conduct the tests.

CDC is confident the tests are accurate. Samples are on the way to CDC for additional testing, a common practice when CDC assists other countries with outbreaks. CDC staff trained Haiti national laboratory staff to conduct testing for cholera last February and March, following the earthquake.

CDC staff is currently in Haiti to help re-build laboratory capacity and surveillance. CDC epidemiologists are also supporting the Haitian Ministry of Health in the investigation, as are the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and other international organizations.

CDC is sending a team of people to Haiti over the next few days. Support staff being sent right away includes epidemiologists and health communicators. A laboratory expert and more epidemiologists will join the outbreak effort next week.

Laboratory staff in Haiti is now focused on testing to determine which antibiotics will be effective in treating people with cholera.

CDC is also assisting the Haitian Ministry of Health and its partners with:

* Assessments regarding adequate treatment supplies;

* Recommendations on how to manage illness in ill persons; and

* How to prevent illness in those persons who are well.

These efforts are in coordination with a broader United States Government response being led by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

As of October 22, 2010, the Haitian Ministry of Health has reported more than 1,500 cases of acute watery diarrhea and more than 150 deaths. Many more cases and deaths are expected.

For more information about cholera, please visit the CDC websites:

2010 Haiti Cholera Outbreak

http://www.cdc.gov/haiticholera/

Cholera

http://www.cdc.gov/cholera/

Travelers' Health: Yellow Book: Chapter 5: Other Infectious Diseases Related to Travel: Cholera http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-5/cholera.aspx

We hope that you find this information helpful and look forward to assisting you again in the future.

[Capt_BJ]

well you don't really need to worry in Labadee ... when we visited via FOS in May the only way you could get a drink of water was to buy bottled water. There was tea and koolade which came off the ship.

[Host Star]

and remember.. no ice in the ice tea or lemonade unless they assure you the ice came from th e ship

[read52]

I think the State Dept was referring to individuals traveling to Haiti, not cruise ships visitng a very safe, very protected private beach where there is controlled water and food preparation and supplies. No one on Labadee is drinking river water.

 

The current concern is for the tent cities and rural areas.

 

Everyone does realize that Samana Dominican Republic shares a border with Haiti, right? Why isn't anyone panicking over that close relationship? Illness doesn't recognize borders drawn on maps. Geez.

 

Thanks for bringing up Samana. I don't think people realize that they are on the same island. We were there in July. The poverty in Samana is all over. The people in the area only drink bottled water. You could see the bottles in front of the houses. We stopped at a "safe" eating place according to our guide. But my husband and I only drank cokes because it was in a bottle.

[Charles4515]

and remember.. no ice in the ice tea or lemonade unless they assure you the ice came from th e ship

 

The water at Labadee is purified.

 

There is no need to worry about water or food at Labadee.

[CeeAngel]

Hi all,

 

I was in Labadee Wed. Oct.26, and there was a full page in the compass referencing Cholera in parts of the country.

 

"Cholera is not affecting Labadee, nor the surrounding areas. We produce all water in Labadee using a reverse osmosis system that guarantees our water is safe to drink. Also, coffee, tea, and other hot beverages, as well as bottled or canned soft drinks, wine and beer, are available for you at Labadee. We always monitor the health of our employees."

 

In the compass for the day we stopped at Samana, they warned against the dangers of Dengue Fever. Not having to do with Dengue Fever, but I didn't go onto Samana, and after hearing remarks from those that did...I was convinced I made the right decision. The only positive remarks, that I heard, came from those that went to their beaches. IMHO RCL only continues to stop there because they most have very low port charges.

 

Hope this helps.

[Juno2008]

We should take a minute and remember how much the people are suffering and give them a hand. Instead of dropping a few grand in the casino, why not get together and have a relief effort on the cruise. Let's do the right thing and help these suffering fellow human beings.

 

We are all Gods children, helping others in need will make you feel better than anything else.

 

I sail Nov. 28th and will do my part to help...... will you?

[janetz]

Just getting off the phone with a woman my daughter travels with to Haiti. She is constantly going back and forth and just came back. Haiti has not had an outbreak of Cholera in over 80 years. It was brought in. Her team does relief work in the mountains and have not seen anything yet. The people there have been taught ahead of time what to do and what not to do. They have their LifeStraws which filter the water and purify it for drinking.

Every disaster besides a volcano has hit Haiti.

Imagine being a mother caught in a hurrincane with no shelter. Sitting in the rain holding your child to your chest.

There is not anything worse than what these people are suffering through.

 

 

 

 

 

[lovevacadays]

This post has made me sad as I read it. Just thinking about the continued suffering of these people. It makes me really count my blessings. We travel to so many areas via cruise ship that are quite beautiful and spectacular but also hold alot of suffering by the people that live there.

[boingy300]

As others have said- Labadee is safe in regards to cholera. I just got back few weeks ago from the real Haiti. Haiti is very uneducated (as we all are!) about cholera/safe water handling. In Lot Bo, a village we held a medical camp, they just dig a hole & drink the water, no boiling.....Otherwise they have to take a leaky boat over the salt lake an hour for potable water. They have limited wood to "boil water". How do you help them? They (UN/Haitian Gov) are under-reporting cholera exposure by 400%. Post elections 11/28 you'll see more increased/ accurate numbers & it will seem the death toll is rising. The reporting will rise, maybe not the death toll......They do expect it to peak out 11/26 or so, but this will be an ongoing event. We need to ask how the cholera came in and the role of the UN, the help of the large NGOs that are sitting on $400 million.... Plus we don't know the effects of this Nepal (Asian) strand on the Haitians. They are an amazingly tough group of people.The death toll will rise as many are unaware of the rapid response required once you have diarrhea, as that is not an uncommon symptom for Haitians. The treatment once symptoms are realized is quite easy 1 dose of doxy and IV fluids. The cruise ship has that stuff, trust me. I would wager my exposure risk is higher at a Florida airport, where an aid worker had just gone to the bathroom, than in Labadee. It's quite the protected compound- been there quite a few times. I am bringing my 72 year old father with a pacemaker on the island.Yes i love him very much & wouldn't put him in harms way. My biggest concern is that he will decide to do the zip line. I am not worried about Dengue or malaria (I have been there 6 weeks, no net) and certainly not cholera in regards to our cruise. For Haitians in the mountains who are delayed in recognition of the symptoms and can't get to the easy treatment and for the slums of Cite Solei/Port Au Prince? I am sick for them. In my pictures link you can see us coding a baby dying from cholera in Fond Parisien on the DR border.I also staffed PaP General post quake. I am not uneducated. I am gathering information daily. I am not really a risk taker, which amazes me the year I've had! I feel very safe at Labadee.I am actually more uneasy about other ports- if truth be told. BUT I am ready for a nice cruise. Been a rough year. My 2 cents......

Karen

[boingy300]

"I would wager my exposure risk is higher at a Florida airport, where an aid worker had just gone to the bathroom, than in Labadee. It's quite the protected compound- been there quite a few times."

2 days ago I said this.

 

 

Hate to say I told you so.... but the cure is easy....in America and on a ship. In a remote village-no.

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/Passenger-With-Cholera-Symptoms-Landed-at-MIA-110903409.html

Karen

[Creepella]

There is a vaccine for cholera. Anyone concerned should contact their doctor.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

In Belize, where there is also a malaria risk, we went on an excursion that took us to the rain forest and we got bit a couple of times by mosquitoes before I got my Off wipes out and used them. We didn't catch anything either. Most of these diseases take multiple exposures to catch.

 

Actually it takes only one female Anopheles mosquito carrying the malaria parasite to give its victim malaria. It takes only one bite of an Aedes mosquito carrying dengue to give its victim dengue fever.

[mamapan]

We visited Labadee and Samana at the end of October/beginning of November at the height of the panic. NOBODY on our ship got sick. NOBODY. Don't panic. You are far more likely to end up with Norovirus than cholera.