Haiti - Epidemic : 3rd suspect case in the Dominican Republic
In the south of the Dominican Republic, a man with all the symptoms of cholera has been admitted to a hospital. If this case is confirmed, this would be the first official case of cholera in the Dominican Republic.
The patient Emilio Antonio Perez Feliz, 43 year old is currently treaty in the regional and university hospital of Barahona. According to reports, Perez is a businessman who had just returned from Haiti. This patient is the 3rd suspected to be observed in the Dominican Republic.
Already in late October, Dr. Loida Gonzalez, of the National laboratory Doctor Defilló had confirmed to have received two samples of suspect cases coming from Moca and Santiago, in the north of the Dominican Republic. She then explained that the review process took four days and that the results would be communicated at the end of this period. 8 days later the Dominican authorities have still not reported on the results of these two cases.
A cholera epidemic would have on tourism in the Dominican Republic, a catastrophic effect. More than three million passengers each year choose this destination. Tourism in the Dominican Republic represents 12% of gross domestic product.
