health
3 cholera cases reported in New York
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 21, 2011
Three adults in New York City were diagnosed with cholera after returning from a trip to the Dominican Republic, where they attended the same wedding the weekend of Jan. 22, according to the city's Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene. None of the individuals was hospitalized, and all have recovered.
It's unlikely the disease spread to anyone else, since the cholera bacteria is spread through contaminated water and food, officials said.
"This happens in places with inadequate water treatment and poor sanitation," said Erin Hughes, a department spokeswoman. "New York City's water is clean and safe."
The cases follow recent outbreaks in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. U.S. cholera cases are rare and typically are imported by travelers. In December 2010, for example, Florida health officials reported five cholera cases in people who had traveled to Haiti.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/02/21/hlbf0221.htm.
