Wilmo Louwes, originally from Haiti, the first case of cholera confirmed in the Dominican Republic was released from the hospital yesterday around 10:00am in good health, after that the Dr. Reyes, head of the hospital where he was treated, confirmed it he could not infect others.

However, for Wilmo is the beginning of his problems. He was denied access to the apartment he rented with his girlfriend for 3 years, apartment located at 46, Julia Peña street in San Martín sector of Higuey. The owner explained to him (under pressure), he had to find another apartment, other tenants were threatening to leave, if "the Haitian who had cholera" was returning to live in the building. Wilmo Louwes and his girlfriend had to move on Saturday to an unknown destination.

Saturday in the municipality of El Peñón of Barahona, a group of residents took to the streets to demonstrate. The crowd called on health authorities, military and law enforcement to arrest Haitians living in this municipality, accusing the latter, a community of about 500 undocumented Haitians, of carrying the cholera. Protesters led by fear, armed with sticks, have burned tires and blocked the streets, throwing stones and bottles. One protester said: "We do not want the presence of Haitians in El Peñón because we have information which they have the cholera."

Situations which are unfortunately likely this to reproduce in the rural areas, supplied with the ignorance and the fear of the cholera, just like what happens in Haiti, where UN peacekeepers have become, without distinction, the "criminals" who brought the disease, the death and destruction, and where the sight of a fellow suffering from cholera causes the leak instead of giving him assistance. It is urgent that information and awareness campaigns, are implemented with populations less educated, in both countries before the irreparable is committed.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-1678-flash-cholera-entered-legally-in-the-dominican-republic.html

BF/ HaitiLibre