Design Studies: Haiti's Cholera Epidemic - What Tipped It?

Image from BBC News 

An epidemic of Cholera has been reported to have broken out in Haiti. The earthquake in January is not thought to have caused the outbreak, however it is thought that is has contributed to it, as it has caused high numbers to live in very close proximity - thus causing the spread to be strengthened. The BBC News has said it is the first cases that have been recorded in 100 years. Given what I have recently learned from the fantastic read "The Tipping Point: How Small Things Can Make a Big Difference" by Malcolm Gladwell,  it would be safe to assume there are other factors involved that have caused this disease to occur, and then tip into what officials are calling an epidemic. 


Only two days ago, on October 22nd 2010, it was reported that there had been 135 deaths from the disease. A mere two days later, it has now been reported that the death toll has exceeded 250. Gabriel Thimote, of Haiti's Government Health Department has told reporters that 3000 people had been infected with it. The northern region of Artibonite has been the epicentre of the outbreak, where within two days reports of 1500 infected people has jumped to 3000. Food and water were at an all time low due to the earthquake which was highly publicised in January 2010; so with the outbreak likely stemming from the available supplies, victims of the earthquake will no doubt try to avoid what little contact they have with food and water to reduce running the risk of infection. This leads to other issues such as starvation.


Cholera - a disease that attacks the small intestine, which is transmitted via bacteria infected food and water, has not been seen in these regions for around 100 years, which begs the question of how it has occurred. Untreated victims are at high risk of death as it causes severe dehydration due to chronic diarrhoea and vomiting, although there are treatments available such as antibiotics and simple rehydration. 


This is clearly an epidemic as it is uncontrollable. Carel Pedre, an eye witness to the events stated "I saw over 500 people waiting to be treated. People were being treated on the floor. They were lying on boards, towels or just the ground." 


Aid workers from around the world are working as hard and as fast as possible to clamp down on the spread of it, as all ages are at risk. David Darg, an aid worker with Operation Blessing said "We were asked to mobilise water purification systems from the area as they suspect people are contracting the disease from the river - which is the sole source of water for some of the communities." If it is the only source of water to a community it is unsurprising that they have contracted it so viciously and has subsequently spread like wild fire. This is possibly how the issue has tipped from being a minor issue with relevant treatment being readily available into an uncontrollable epidemic - with aid being spread too thinly throughout the infected areas. Another issue is the speed at which the disease is spreading, with a 100% increase in a mere 48 hours. All these issues - the earthquake causing cramp conditions and poor services, the only water supply being suspected as the cause, and the minimal aid all accumulated together have exploded into what could potentially cost hundreds more people their lives, with the death toll rising exponentially.