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July 10, 2012
Florida Department of Health Statement on Cuban Cholera Outbreak
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Office of Communications,
July 10, 2012 Jessica Hammonds, (850) 245-4111
STATEMENT: Deputy Secretary for Health Dr. Steven Harris on Cuban Cholera Outbreak
“In light of recent reports of the cholera outbreak in Cuba, I want to assure Floridians of their safety and the surveillance and prevention efforts of the Florida Department of Health. The potential for spread of cholera in Florida is extremely low because our water, sanitation, and food systems minimize the risk for contaminated food and water, and person-to-person transmission is rare. There have been no outbreaks of cholera in Florida in recent memory. Over the last two years, there have only been 15 cases of cholera in Florida residents and those resulted from travel to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. If traveling to countries where cholera activity is occurring, please take appropriate precautions to avoid transmission. This includes drinking bottled water, washing hands with soap and clean water, using latrines and cooking food thoroughly. If you develop watery diarrhea after traveling to cholera active countries you should seek medical attention. Cholera is simple to treat if it is recognized early. Our Department will continue to monitor and test at-risk populations to ensure the safety of our residents.”
The Centers for Disease Control has comprehensive cholera information available for travelers at http://www.cdc.gov/cholera/prevention.html
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