Source: Associated Press

Dominican physicians report that cholera has been reported in 28 of the country’s 32 provinces, and the number of new cases has risen about 50% over the last two weeks, according to the Dominican Health ministry. Since the outbreak began in November, there have been over a thousand cases and fourteen deaths, and there are fears that the situation may worsen with the onset of the hurricane season. The Dominican Republic shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, where the cholera epidemic has sickened over 250,000 and killed nearly 5,000. Cholera is a water-borne illness, which is spread through contaminated drinking water and food. Travelers should take strict precautions to avoid exposure and should seek treatment immediately with the onset of diarrhea.