Health Daily News

Considers Secretary General Ban Ki-moon: "without a massive and immediate international response, we will be overwhelmed."Ban Ki-moon says only 20 percent a Board 164 million dollars is metMore than 1800 people died in the outbreak, up to 650,000 more could sickenedSmaller proportion of infected people die, Pan American Health Organization saysMost immediate need: more cholera treatment centres, more trained staff to perform their

(CNN)--UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has made an urgent appeal Friday for more money for the fight against cholera epidemic in Haiti which has cost the lives of over 1800.

The United Nations had requested for 164 million dollars in mid-November. Ban said he had materialized only 20 percent.

Water disease hasn't been spread across 10 departments or provinces of impoverished Caribbean nation, but the most recent data from the Ministry of public health reported 1,882 cholera deaths and sickened nearly working people. The Pan American Health Organization (who) said the good news is that a smaller percentage infected dying.

During the first weeks of cholera epidemic, which began in late October, the percentage of hospitalized patients die of cholera amounted to 9 percent, the health organization said. This figure is now at 3.5%.

' This is progress, "said Deputy Director Dr. Jon k. Andrus. "There are still too many deaths and face many challenges. But the hard work of Haiti doctors, nurses, and community workers and partners of the international community is, indeed, can save many lives. "

But Ban warned that the numbers were at best rough estimates and the outbreak would sicken as 650,000 people in the next six months.

"Clearly, we will continue to spread. Unfortunately, "ban said," this is against a particularly virulent strain of cholera and underlying issues: a weak national health system, poor hygiene and lack of fresh water and other basic services. "

"Without a massive and immediate international response, we will be overwhelmed," he said.

Symptoms of cholera, a bitter, diarrheal disease caused by infection of the intestine may be mild or even nonexistent. But sometimes it can be severe watery diarrhea--ample and leg cramps, vomiting, which can cause rapid loss of Body fluids and can lead to dehydration and shock.

If left untreated, a person may die within hours.

Ban said was the most urgent need for more cholera treatment centres and more trained staff to perform these installations.

That includes an estimated 350 doctors, nurses and 2,200 2000 support personnel over the next three months and nearly 30,000 workers in health and Community volunteers to run an estimated 15,000 oral rehydration points.

"It won't be a short-term crisis. We cannot feel the short term in our response, "said Ban. "The Haitian deserve nothing less."

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