UN Argues for Haiti Cholera Estimates

United Nations, Mar 17. -UN estimates on the number of people infected with cholera in Haiti are in line with reality, according to UN official spokesman Martin Nesirky.

Nesirky was questioned about a specialized study that almost doubles the estimate of 400,000 people infected provided by the World Health Organization and released by The Lancet scientific journal, refering to research by experts from the universities of California, San Francisco, and Harvard.

According to the UN spokesman, the bases used by WHO experts for their estimates "are consistent with reality on-the-spot in Haiti."

Nesirky added that efforts made by the Pan American Health Organization and WHO in Haiti have led to saving lives through the rapid treatment of people infected with the virus, working together with other non governmental organizations and agencies in supplying clean water and raising awareness among the populatiom on preventing cholera.

According to The Lancet, the difference between UN estimates and those released by the journal is important because those projections determine the delivery of resources needed to address the illness.

More than 4,600 people have died from cholera since late October, when the epidemic broke out, according to latest figures released by the Haitian government. (Prensa Latina)