Cholera from Haiti, what about the caves now in Dominican Republic????????

[phillip1]

I will stop drinking cave water, it think that's a stupid idea anyway but when i get thirsty on long dives i start getting paranoid about decompression sickness and dehydration being a risk factor so i start drinking.
I will fill my msr with water now and use that, that what it was designed for in the first place anyway.
I don't think think it will spread in the DR or be as deadly as it is in Haiti as the infrastucure is nowhere near as bad here.

The problem in the east of the DR is that in the Punta Cana area is were most of the Haitian migrant workers are employed/exploited by the all the hotels and resorts in construction and menial jobs.
They live in little Haiti a slum right next to the major tourist area. Aparently according to the press it is a slum and people are all living in sub human conditions.
Hotel and resort developers are paying Haitian workers way less that DR workers so they save money and more and more workers are coming form Haiti each day. At some point someone will come back from haiti with cholera but instead of being in higuey at the hospital and under control, it will be in little haiti and may get bad.

[FW]

Since there is always the risk of getting some cave water in your mouth when diving, just be sure to rinse your mouth out with alcohol after the dive.

[Sludge]

I will stop drinking cave water

And while you're at it, stock up on Gatorade, just in case!

[LiteHedded]

time to start taking camelbaks

[amphipod06]

Have you taken a look at the CDC website?
They have plenty of information on communicable diseases all over the world:

http://www.cdc.gov/cholera/general/

As for the US and other international workers in Haiti, I would not worry, there is a vaccine and I am sure they have porta potties, drink clean water, and wash their hands well...

Dive safe,

Celia

[Neptuno]

Since there is always the risk of getting some cave water in your mouth when diving, just be sure to rinse your mouth out with alcohol after the dive.

what kind of alcohol should be ok? beer graduation or something stronger? I think maybe stronger is safer?

[John Ploegert]

There is a professor at the University of Florida who doubles as an extension agent - that means he answers questions from the public and he might be able to help you. His name is Max Teplitski and his email address is [email protected] if you want to contact him directly. He may not know the answers himself but will know how to find someone at UF who does.
John

[phillip1]

Listerine strips

[mwenner]

Cristian, we need to get you a water sample kit, and you need to start grabbing samples as you dive, and log them. Then, present that to the proper authorities. No one better than you guys to do that, because you care. Skip K in TN, are you hearing this?, as Skips always training people how to sample and track it.

haiti and DR are not that far in infrastructure and poverty, this country is not ready for cholera really. I'd really like to know how the bacteria spread in the water, how long it survives, etc, is not only the risk for us diving, is how long it will stay in the water in case of epidemy. If the bug can't survive inside the cave and can only do so in the water surface is ok, I want to know it, or if the bacteria can survive all over in the water will be something interesting to be known as well.

[Neptuno]

hey mark, well will be cool, but not sure if authorities here will care really.... in case of contamination will be cool tho, would give some good info as soon as we get free butt plugs in case of getting infected