Genomic origin of the 2010 Haiti cholera outbreak
Origen genómico del cólera de Haití de 2010
- Date
- 2010-2011 · confidence high
- Place
- Mirebalais, Centre, Haiti
- Credited to
- Renaud Piarroux, Chen-Shan Chin and colleagues
- Field
- Life & health
What was discovered
The cholera outbreak after the 2010 earthquake had a strain nearly identical to those of South Asia, according to genomic sequencing, and epidemiological investigations placed its start at a camp of Nepalese UN peacekeepers on the Artibonite river. It was one of the first uses of real-time genomics to trace an outbreak.
The UN denied specific responsibility for years; a 2011 independent panel pointed to a combination of circumstances without blaming any individual, while genomic and epidemiological studies pointed to an introduction from Nepal. More than 9,000 deaths, according to tallies.
What it led to
- UN acknowledgement of its moral responsibility (2016) and a cholera elimination plan
- use of genomic sequencing in field epidemiology
- revision of sanitation standards for peacekeeping missions