Cholera outbreak in Haiti could worsen

Health authorities say the cholera outbreak could worsen as more people come forward showing symptoms and seeking care.  The outbreak has killed 138 people and more than 1,500 people have become sick. 

Hospitals north of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, are already overflowing with patients.  According to CNN, some people have waited more than 24 hours outside of the hospital to get help.  

The outbreak follows heavy rains that have caused the area to flood.  Although the Center for Disease Control has not determined where the outbreak came from, a person can get cholera from drinking water or eating food contaminated with the bacteria. 

Haiti is still trying to recover from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit on January 12.  According to CNN, the scene at the hospitals this past week resemble what hospitals looked like after the earthquake that destroyed much of Port-au-Prince.