Cholera Exploding in Haiti

In Haiti, it's going from bad to worse to worse, with the news that the UN has doubled the number of cholera cases it expects to see there. A UN official says 425,000 cases are expected to occur in the first six months following the fatal disease's October appearance—more than twice the original estimate of 200,000 cases. But that earlier figure is popping up once again: Of the 425,000 cases, some 200,000 are expected before the end of 2010, with a peak before Christmas.

The Ministry of Health has officially logged 66,593 cases, with 1,523 deaths as of Monday, but the Wall Street Journal notes the officials acknowledge the true number is likely much higher. The UN official asked for help: "Funds are an element but not the only element," he said. "We've asked other international agencies, 'if you have resources for next year, reallocate them to cholera now and to take their capacities outside of Port-au-Prince,'" where most of the aid is currently concentrated. (More Haiti stories.)