Health officials warn of diphtheria cases in Haiti

Port-au-Prince, Aug 21 (Prensa Latina) Wesler Lambert, Executive Director at Zanmi Lasante, informed on Wednesday that Haitian health authorities are already aware of the increase of diphtheria cases in Boucan-Carre, a commune in the country's Central Department.

August 21, 2024
11:52

The Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP) has already been notified of the 12 cases of the disease, said Lambert, who explained that for several years, there have been challenges related to vaccination in this country.

The logistical issues make it difficult to supply health centers with diphtheria vaccines, especially over the last three years, Lambert pointed out.

He commented that the disease’s outbreak in Boucan-Carre has difficult access there, a reason that prevents the population from being attended by community health workers.

Le Nouvelliste newspaper informed that Zanmi Lasante and MSPP teams are currently preparing to intervene in the area to respond to the emergency.

In May, Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population conducted a vaccination campaign against diphtheria, a disease that particularly affects children.

The plan was supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the departments of Artibonite, Centre, Grande-Anse, Nippes, Nord, Nord-Est, and Sud-Est.

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