Cuban Government Confirms Cholera Outbreak in Havana

Here in the US everyone is talking about the flu epidemic.

In Cuba the concern is over cholera.

Cuban officials Tuesday confirmed an outbreak in Havana.

They say 51 people have been infected in the capital.

Cholera is a bacterial infection that can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration and in some cases death.

“Every time there’s a confirmed case doctors are going around, giving preventative antibiotics to people in neighborhood,” says the BBC’s Sarah Rainsford, who is in Havana.

Rainsford also says the government is closing down “bars and cafes unless they sell sealed bottles and cans or pre-packed food.”