Haiti: UN agencies support Government in vaccination campaign against cholera

To read this story in French

25 May 2016 – Two United Nations agencies said today they are supporting the Government of Haiti in a vaccination campaign against cholera that aims to reach 400,000 people in 2016.

In a press release, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) said the Haitian Ministry of Public Health and Population is being supported by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), as well as by the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

The first phase of the campaign was launched on 11 May in the town of Arcahaie, about 30 minutes north of the capital city of Port-au-Prince. That phase aims to provide two doses of oral vaccine to some 118,000 people during May and June.

The vaccine provides warranty protection ranging from three to five years, according to PAHO/WHO.

A second phase of the vaccination campaign is planned for the second half of the year. To be successful, nearly 563,785 additional doses are required.

For both phases of the campaign, an initial budget of about $3.6 million has been provided.

Previous campaigns of vaccination against cholera reached 285,534 people – 102,250 in 2013 and 183,284 in 2014.

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Government of Haiti has launched a vaccination campaign against cholera that aims to reach 400,000 people in 2016. Photo: UN/MINUSTAH/Logan Abassi

MINUSTAH stressed the importance, given the increase in the population, of increasing access to clean water and sanitation in exposed areas as key to eliminating the disease.

In the first quarter of 2016, MINUSTAH’s Civil Affairs programme approved or began work on 17 Quick Intervention Projects (QIPs) projects worth some $845,380 to prevent cholera and other water-borne diarrheal diseases.

This outlay represents more than 20 per cent of the total 2015-16 QIPs budget. The 17 projects (seven approved; 10 already being implemented) are expected to reach over 220,000 beneficiaries in seven out of the 10 departments of the country.

Of these, three projects (totalling some $152,971) deal with renovations or extensions to health centres, in the West Centre and Grande Anse respectively; while 14 relate to the construction, renovation or extension of local drinking water systems. The largest of these, in the Village Solidarité in the West Department, is expected to assure clean drinking water for some 75,000 beneficiaries.

The latest Cholera Response fact sheet can be found by clicking below  http://www.un.org/News/dh/infocus/haiti/Cholera_UN_Factsheet_April_2016.pdf

Source: UN NEWS CENTRE

Study links poor oral health to pancreatic cancer

 According to a recent study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, men with a history of gum (periodontal) disease could be at increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. 

Researchers from Harvard, the University of San Juan and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute analyzed data from more than 51,000 male subjects over a 16-year period. 

The purpose was to determine if gum disease or tooth loss may be related to pancreatic cancer. After adjusting for age, smoking history, diabetes, obesity, diet and other potential contributors to pancreatic cancer, the reviewers found that men with a history of gum disease had a 64 percent increased risk of pancreatic cancer than men without a history of gum disease. Nobody knows why gum disease may be linked to pancreatic cancer. 

Flossing on a regular basis may keep plaques and gum diseases down

Although the study showed an association between gum disease and pancreatic cancer, a definite cause and effect relationship was not established. Researchers speculate that chronic infection in the gums triggers inflammation throughout the body, which can potentially promote the growth of cancer. 

Further research needed While the study claimed that gum disease or tooth loss may increase pancreatic cancer risk through "plausible biological mechanisms," the American Dental Association (ADA) cautions that further research is required to validate this association. 

The pancreas

The ADA also says that the role that diabetes played in the results also requires further investigation, because diabetes is associated with both periodontal disease and pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer often goes undetected until an advanced stage, making effective treatment difficult. The disease is commonly linked with tobacco smoking, age or family history. And, now, there may be a link to gum disease. 

Today, more than 70 percent of the adult U.S. population has some form of gum disease. Maintaining oral health through regular dental check-ups and good oral hygiene is essential to overall good health. Periodontal disease, cancer may be linked in men. American Dental Association. 

Source: Delta Dental

Additional resources: 

• Brushing and flossing techniques 

• Flossing once a day helps fight gum disease.