Risk factors of cholera transmission in rural areas in Haiti

Cholera, present in Haiti since October 2010, persisted in early 2014 in several places, each with its own particular epidemiological characteristics. The scarcity of fresh water probably contributed to the spread of the disease in some rural areas. Population gatherings in places without an access to either safe water or sanitation infrastructure were another factor. Outreach activities of hygiene promotion and improving access to chlorinated water had positive results. The disappearance of choléra in areas where effective preventive actions were conducted supports the conclusion that its transmission is predominantly interhuman, without the sustainable installation of the pathogenic Vibrio in the Haitian environment. These actions must be modulated according to the various areas.