Haiti's leader says Hurricane Matthew's assault has accelerated the already existing cholera epidemic and undermined the strides made in fighting the disease.
"A lot of effort has been made to avoid the spread of this epidemic," said Interim President Jocelerme Privert, "but the hurricane has accelerated it."
Thirteen people have died from cholera since Matthew hit Haiti, he said. This tragedy -- which has killed more than 370 people -- comes after a devastating cholera outbreak in 2010. The United Nations says it has been involved in trying to eradicate the disease in Haiti.
Cholera, which is spread through water or food contaminated with Vibrio cholerae bacteria, can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting, which leads to extreme dehydration. It can swiftly result in outbreaks, and patients who are not treated quickly can die within hours.
Haiti has one of the highest rates of cholera in the world, with almost 10,000 people dead from the disease since 2010 and more than 27,000 suspected cases have been reported this year -- an estimated 1 in 3 of them children, UNICEF said.
Before the hurricane, only 1 in 3 people in Haiti had access to proper latrines and less than 3 in 5 had access to safe water. In rural areas, these rates go down to 1 in 4 for sanitation and 1 in 2 for water. Diarrhea is one of the main killers of children under 5 in the country, UNICEF said.
Three regions hard hit
The uptick in cholera cases, confirmed and suspected, has been most apparent in the departments of Sud and Grand-Anse, according to Stephane De Rengerves, senior executive liaison officer with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. There are 10 departments, or regional administrative units, in Haiti.
Rene Domersant, Health Ministry representative at Haiti's National Emergency Center, told CNN there are currently 128 confirmed cases of cholera and at least 160 suspected cases for Sud, Nipps and Grand'Anse departments in the south of the country.
All patients, with either confirmed or suspected cases for cholera, are under observation and receiving medical care.
In one hospital in Jeremie, which is in Grand-Anse, there are at least 40 suspected cases of cholera since Hurricane Matthew hit. The Saint Antoine Hospital received hundreds of patients over the weekend, most of them suffering injuries from flying debris rather than cholera.
Officials said they are out of anesthetics and antibiotics, and haven't gotten any aid, despite the massive damage the Hurricane caused the facility, and aid in the area.
"Quick decisions and strong leadership can make or break relief operations. Right now, 1 million people need urgent humanitarian assistance. Lifesaving measures such as medical aid, clean water and appropriate information should remain the priority at this stage." said Dr. Unni Krishnan, director of Save the Children's Emergency Health Unit in Haiti on Monday in a press release.
"Flooding and contaminated water caused by the storm pose a huge threat to survivors including thousands of children. Clean water and medicine delivered to the hardest hit areas in the next 24 to 48 hours is a key priority."
