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Haitian Health Ministry officials have informed the World Health Organization that 138 deaths are a part of a fast-moving cholera outbreak north of Port-au-Prince, a U.N. official said.
Imogen Wall, the U.N. humanitarian spokeswoman in Haiti, said that in addition to the deaths, 1,526 cases are also part of the outbreak. All the cases have been reported in the Lower Artibonite region, north of Port-au-Prince, she said.
"This is a situation that's developed very quickly. It's only been 48 hours and we've already got 138 deaths confirmed," Wall told CNN.
"I can also tell you that we've just had confirmation from the ministry of health here that it is cholera, which is a serious development, partially because cholera is a very dangerous disease, and it spreads very fast, but also because it's unusual to Haiti," she said. "There hasn't been an outbreak here in decades."
Dr. Michel Thieren of the Pan American Health Organization described the outbreak as "severe," and noted that officials were still trying to track how far it had spread.
"This is an unprecedented episode of cholera, and the government needs a lot of support, and they need to be vigilant in how they respond," he said.
All cases are related to severe diarrhea and vomiting, Wall said.
The U.N. has been sending tents and rehydration supplies to the region, and will continue its efforts Friday, she said.
"It's a very worrying situation. We're very concerned," Wall said.
The Haitian government has not issued an official statement on the outbreak.
