Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Laboratory Techniques Used to Maintain and Differentiate Biotypes of Vibrio cholerae Clinical and Environmental Isolates
07:58

Laboratory Techniques Used to Maintain and Differentiate Biotypes of Vibrio cholerae Clinical and Environmental Isolates

Published on: May 30, 2017

The cholera outbreak in Haiti: where and how did it begin?

Daniele Lantagne1, G Balakrish Nair, Claudio F Lanata

  • 1Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tufts University, 200 College Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, USA, daniele.lantagne@tufts.edu.

Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology
|May 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

The 2010 Haiti cholera outbreak originated from Vibrio cholerae bacteria introduced by human activity, contaminating the Artibonite River. This investigation aimed to determine the source and prevent future epidemics.

Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Cholera emerged in Haiti in October 2010, the first occurrence in nearly a century.
  • The United Nations established an Independent Panel to investigate the outbreak's source.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the source of the 2010 cholera outbreak in Haiti.
  • To provide recommendations for preventing future cholera introduction and spread.

Main Methods:

  • Concurrent epidemiological investigations.
  • Water and sanitation analyses.
  • Molecular analyses of Vibrio cholerae.

Main Results:

  • The outbreak was caused by Vibrio cholerae bacteria introduced through human activity.
  • Contamination of the Meye Tributary System of the Artibonite River was identified as the source.
  • The pathogenic strain was identified as the current South Asian type.

Conclusions:

  • Human activity introduced Vibrio cholerae, leading to the 2010 Haiti cholera epidemic.
  • Recommendations were made to prevent future outbreaks in Haiti and globally.
  • The report discusses findings, context, responses, and public health implications.

More Related Videos

Determination of Tolerable Fatty Acids and Cholera Toxin Concentrations Using Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and BALB/c Mouse Macrophages09:39

Determination of Tolerable Fatty Acids and Cholera Toxin Concentrations Using Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells and BALB/c Mouse Macrophages

Published on: May 30, 2013

Quantifying Vibrio cholerae Colonization and Diarrhea in the Adult Zebrafish Model08:03

Quantifying Vibrio cholerae Colonization and Diarrhea in the Adult Zebrafish Model

Published on: July 12, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Cholera01:25

Cholera

Cholera is an acute gastrointestinal disease caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route through the ingestion of contaminated water or food.Vibrio cholerae is a motile, Gram-negative bacterium of the family Vibrionaceae, primarily associated with waterborne outbreaks in areas with inadequate sanitation. Although over 200 serogroups of V. cholerae exist, only O1 and O139 are responsible for epidemic cholera. The O1 serogroup,...
Reservoir of Infection01:30

Reservoir of Infection

Infectious diseases arise from intricate interactions between pathogens and their reservoirs. A reservoir of infection refers to the natural habitat where a pathogen lives, grows, and multiplies, serving as a continual source of infection. Reservoirs are broadly classified as either living or nonliving, and each plays a unique role in disease transmission, significantly influencing public health interventions and control strategies.Humans act as reservoirs for a wide array of pathogens,...
Investigation of Disease Outbreaks01:23

Investigation of Disease Outbreaks

Multistate foodborne outbreaks pose significant public health risks and require meticulous investigation to identify sources and implement control measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) utilizes a dynamic seven-step process for these investigations, integrating data from laboratories, interviews, and environmental assessments to protect public health.Outbreak Detection: The detection of multistate outbreaks typically begins with PulseNet, the CDC's national laboratory...
Infection01:20

Infection

When a pathogen enters the body and reproduces, it can cause an infection, damage body cells, and cause illness symptoms that eventually lead to disease. Therefore, its prevention requires breaking the chain of infection.
The chain begins with pathogens: bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions, or parasites such as protozoa helminths. These can be present on the skin as transient or resident flora, or they can be acquired from the environment. Identifying and treating the type of infection and...
Origin of Cellular Life01:24

Origin of Cellular Life

The origin of life on Earth is a complex and enigmatic event rooted in ancient biochemical processes and geological conditions. Experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that life began with the spontaneous formation of organic molecules such as RNA nucleotides, amino acids, and lipids under early Earth conditions. Factors like volcanic activity, intense UV radiation, and a reducing atmosphere without free oxygen likely facilitated these reactions. Hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor are...
History of Microbiology01:28

History of Microbiology

Microbiology, a scientific field dedicated to the study of microorganisms, has undergone profound development since its inception in the 17th century. Its history is marked by key discoveries and technological advancements that have shaped our understanding of life at the microscopic level and transformed medicine, agriculture, and industry.Early Foundations of MicrobiologyThe early foundations of microbiology were built on groundbreaking observations and the development of pioneering...