Massachusetts General Hospital

Cholera strain in Haiti matches bacteria from South Asia

09/Dec/2010

A team of researchers from Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the biotechnology company Pacific Biosciences, with colleagues from Haiti, has determined that the strain of cholera erupting in Haiti matches bacterial samples from South Asia and not those from Latin America. The scientists conclude that the cholera bacterial strain introduced into Haiti probably came from an infected human, contaminated food or other item from outside of Latin America. It is highly unlikely, they say, that the outbreak was triggered by ocean currents or other climate-related events.

Link to full Harvard Medical School release.

Media Contacts: Michael Morrison, mdmorrison@partners.org, 617-724-6425