Cholera death toll hits 4,000 in Haiti

The death toll from the cholera epidemic in Haiti has topped the 4,000 mark, with health officials citing over 200,000 cases as of January 24.

The new figures show that Haitians are still dying from cholera — more than three months after it first appeared in the country.

Officials are also looking into new cases of paralysis which killed several cholera patients within days of being released from a treatment center, AFP reported.

“Experts including toxicologists are investigating possible contamination at a hospital or at home from medication, food, or another source as the cause of death in these cases,” the Pan American Health Organization said.

The cholera epidemic has now spread to the Dominican Republic where at least 241 people have been affected, Xinhua stated.

Venezuelan authorities have announced emergency measures after a wedding party of Venezuelans were exposed to cholera in the Dominican Republic. At least 37 guests reportedly contracted the disease.

This comes as Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive told reporters that the Electoral Council would soon announce the results of the first round of presidential elections.

It follows a confirmation by the ruling Unity Party that their candidate Jude Celestin would withdraw from the runoffs.

Protests erupted across Haiti after the results of the November 28 election were announced, with most international observers contending that the first round of voting was grossly mismanaged.

Outrage was also directed towards incumbent President Rene Preval, who came to power after a coup d’etat against democratically-elected President Jean Bertrand Aristide in February 2004.

Members of Aristide’s popular Fanmi Lavalas party were barred from taking part in the November elections.

The country has yet to recover from the devastating January 2010 earthquake that killed 250,000 people and left the capital in ruins.