What should you know about haitian cholera outbreak?

Cholera is an intestinal infection that spreads when contaminated water or food is swallowed. It may produce frequent, painless, watery stools and vomiting. The main danger is loss of water and salts, which can progress to weakness, dizziness, very little urine, or collapse. Symptoms can become severe quickly, especially in children, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone already unwell.

An outbreak means exposure risk is higher in a particular community; it does not confirm that every episode of diarrhoea is cholera. Local health services can advise about testing, treatment, safe water, and contacts.

Use a correctly prepared oral rehydration solution and take frequent small sips, including after each loose stool. Continue breastfeeding and offer suitable food when tolerated. Use treated or bottled water for drinking, cooking, brushing teeth, and preparing rehydration solution. Wash hands with soap after using the toilet and before handling food; clean contaminated surfaces and avoid preparing food for others while ill. [Oral Rehydration Therapy](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/oral-rehydration-therapy/) explains fluid replacement.

Contact urgent medical services for fainting, confusion, inability to drink, repeated vomiting, severe weakness, sunken eyes, cold skin, or very little urine. Seek prompt assessment for sudden profuse watery diarrhoea during an outbreak, even if pain is mild. Severe dehydration may need [IV Fluid Therapy](/treatments/acute-and-urgent-care/iv-fluid-therapy/). Read about [Diarrhoea](/symptoms/diarrhoea/) for warning signs.

Ask whether your symptoms and exposure require testing, which rehydration product to use, how to protect household members, and whether any prescribed treatment is needed. Tell the clinician when symptoms began and what water or food exposures occurred.