The French doctor Gerard Chevallier which works in collaboration with Professor Renaud Piarroux, epidemiologist specialist in cholera, to advise the Haitian Ministry of Health. believes that "The epidemic is unusual mechanical, rapid and severe" in Haiti.

Dr. Chevallier believes that the assessments of the Haitian authorities are "undervalued, notifications are imperfect, there are areas where people die and nobody knows," recalling that the "two thirds of the Haitian territory are only accessible by walk".

Both doctors are trying to establish, with the Haitian authorities, tools that allow to have a more reliable picture of the epidemic. "The challenge is to know exactly every day what happened the day before. It is important to know how many cases, how many dead people involved in each area, to give an appropriate response and quick."

It is true that the assessments published so far reflect a past situation. Thus the latest figures released by the Ministry of Health, Friday, November 19, concerns the assessment of November 16 probably end data collected on November 15 (!). Today, 20 November, the only official data for use by health professionals, date of 5 days... The difference between this report and updates on Saturday, could be more than +20% to +30%. However, health services, can work effectively only from real figures, and not estimates.

The two French doctors, promising that by next week, a much more reliable system will be implemented. Let us wish especially that it be better updated.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1696-haiti-epidemic-last-assessment-19646-cases-declared-1186-deaths.html

S/ HaitiLibre