CDC Reports on Cholera Outbreak in Haiti

Photo Courtesy -- Getty Images(ATLANTA) – A report by the CDC Thursday gives better insight into how the cholera outbreak in Haiti began, and what the future of the outbreak may bring.

Data from the report indicates that only 63 percent of the country had access to “improved” drinking water -- even prior to the earthquake in January -- while just 12 percent had piped, treated water. The earthquake only exacerbated the situation, as around 2.3 million Haitians were displaced and the risk of waterborne illness increased.
 
Sanitation levels were also very low, with only 17 percent having adequate sanitation as of 2008.

Despite a quick emergency repose by the Haitian government, the CDC expects cholera cases to continue to spread and increase substantially even as systems to track the cases improve.

Copyright 2010 ABC News Radio