The Ministry of Public Health Bautista Gomez Rojas confirmed on Thursday, 27 January that there had been nine cases of cholera of around 500 persons attending a wedding at the villa of Gustavo Cisneros in La Romana, as reported in LaZ101digital. The confirmation comes after the story broke in Venezuela, following a press conference by the Venezuelan Health Minister that cases of cholera had been reported in Venezuela and were traced to Venezuelans returning from an event in the DR. The Ministry routinely reports once a week on cholera cases.
This is the first major outbreak to occur. All those affected have recovered he said. Several of those attending the wedding had traveled back to their home countries, primarily Venezuela.
The Minister of Public Health said the situation was quickly subject to control protocols to avoid spreading. All those attending the event were notified. He said that none other than those who ate lobster at the party are known to have been contaminated. The investigation revealed the contamination could have occurred with improper refrigeration and lack of appropriate cooking. The lobster came from Pedernales, on the border with Haiti and that is known for the best lobster in the country.
Gomez Rojas said that as soon as the outbreak was suspect authorities in Venezuela and the Panamerican Health Organization offices in Washington, D.C. were notified. He said the private party took place on Saturday and the incubation period was 8 to 48 hours.
Local news reports indicate that Fernando Hazoury, one of the owners of Cap Cana, was hospitalized after attending the party at the private villa in Casa de Campo and has recovered.
The lobster was served by a third party caterer, not by Casa de Campo itself. Ironically, Casa de Campo itself has just completed the installation of a US$9 million state of the art kitchen facility to guarantee food service to their customers.
http://www.z101digital.com/index.ph...-pais&catid=137:servicios-de-salud&Itemid=518
http://www.z101digital.com/index.ph...-pais&catid=137:servicios-de-salud&Itemid=518
For an overview on cholera and travelers, see
http://www.dr1.com/travelnews/archive/2010/tnews120710.html