The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) reported on Wednesday that COVID-19 cases increased over the previous week while the cholera situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate.

Since early October, Haitian health authorities have confirmed more than 700 cases of cholera, 144 cholera-related fatalities, and are looking into more than 7,000 suspected cases, according to PAHO Director Dr. Carissa Etienne.

Dr. Etienne continued by stating that the situation is hazardous and that PAHO urges all nations to strengthen their vigilance while assisting Haiti to treat patients with life-saving care, sending out health workers, and allowing access to fuel for medical institutions.

On a concerning note, experts further stated that the number of COVID-19 cases increased by 17% over the past week, and more people died across South and Central America. After two years of below-average activity, seasonal influenza cases are also rising. In addition, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections have sharply surged after a few years of seasonal transmission that was reduced, placing stress on the health systems in Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, and the United States.

According to PAHO, COVID-19, influenza, and RSV are burdening the Americas and its health systems, creating a "triple threat" of respiratory disorders. Also, America is still the region most afflicted by monkeypox. However, cases have decreased in most of the seriously affected nations, and measures must be taken as soon as possible to eradicate cases of monkeypox.

(Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/haiti-cholera-outbreak-worsens-covid-19-cases-rise-americas-paho-2022-11-16/)