| TCI officials remain vigilant against cholera |
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| Tuesday, 21 December 2010 12:11 | |||
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With the cholera-related death toll still on the rise in Haiti, the Turks and Caicos Islands government is stepping up its efforts to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly disease into the country. Along with assistance from two international agencies, relevant local government departments are stepping up their preparedness and prevention efforts. The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) has sent a three-member team and the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) with one representative have sent a team of experienced personnel to work along with local officials in their efforts. They will work under the direction of Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rufus Ewing to help produce a comprehensive Cholera Contingency Plan for the TCI. As part of this work, the teams are working together to set up a network of experts around the globe who will be on call to offer advice to the TCI in case it is required. “This consultancy is being given the highest priority because of the imminent threat to the islands and the potential impact this may have on the already fragile TCI economy,” said Horatio Tuitt, change manager at the Department of Disaster Management and Emergencies who has been appointed to lead the effort. “The alert level for the TCI has increased because the disease has now spread to all districts in Haiti and is on the increase in the Dominican Republic. “The close proximity of the TCI to these affected countries coupled with travel and trade links increases our vulnerability. We are involving all departments of government for a multi-agency approach to the development of this contingency plan which we are aiming to deliver before Christmas.” Officials in Haiti reported Sunday that more than 2,500 deaths have been attributed to the cholera outbreak that erupted in mid-October.
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