American Journal of Public Health
Volume 103, Issue 11 (November 2013)
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/toc/ajph/current

Commentaries
Modern Cholera in the Americas: An Opportunistic Societal Infection
Rodrigo Cerda, Patrick T. Lee
American Journal of Public Health: November 2013, Vol. 103, No. 11: 1934–1937.
http://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/abs/10.2105/AJPH.2013.301567

Abstract
In the Americas, the only two cholera epidemics of the past century have occurred in the past 25 years.

Lessons from the 1991 Peruvian cholera epidemic can help to focus and refine the response to the current Haitian epidemic. After three years of acute epidemic response, we have an opportunity to refocus on the chronic conditions that make societies vulnerable to cholera.

More importantly, even as international attention wanes in the aftermath of the earthquake and acute epidemic, we are faced with a need for continued and coordinated investment in improving Haiti’s structural defenses against cholera, in particular access to improved water and sanitation.