Despite Sensitivities, Scientists Seek to Solve Haiti’s Cholera Riddle

Summary- Martin Enserink

Several cholera experts have told Science that nailing the source of the recent cholera outbreak in Haiti could potentially embarrass the United Nations, distract from the day-to-day fight to control the outbreak, and even lead to violence. So their passion for traditional shoe-leather epidemiology has been tempered by diplomatic and strategic concerns. Indeed, prominent cholera scientists declined to discuss the issue with Science or would only speak off the record. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating the source, but a spokesperson referred questions about it to a panel charged by the U.N. secretary-general with investigating the outbreak.

Science 28 January 2011:
Vol. 331 no. 6016 pp. 388-389
DOI: 10.1126/science.331.6016.388

* News & Analysis

Epidemiology

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1 thought on “Despite Sensitivities, Scientists Seek to Solve Haiti’s Cholera Riddle

  1. Martin Enserink – France
    Martin Enserink has a Masters degree in biology from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. He has worked as a writer for Science since 1999, first at the magazine’s headquarters in Washington D.C., and since 2004 as its correspondent in Paris and Amsterdam. He specializes in infectious diseases, global health and science policy.

    “I am a freelance science reporter based in Amsterdam who specializes in infectious diseases, biodefense and science policy. I’m a contributing correspondent for the weekly journal Science, with a special focus on the Benelux countries and France.

    I also write frequent columns for Intermediair, a weekly general magazine in the Netherlands, and for Bionieuws, a publication of the Dutch Institute for Biologists (NIBI). Recently, I have also started writing for Foreign Policy, the flagship publication of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C.”

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