#Haiti #cholera epidemic ’most likely’ started at #UN camp - top scientist | BBC News
►http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20024400
The new evidence could have serious implications for the UN, which is facing an unprecedented legal and moral challenge in Haiti - as well as a multi-billion dollar compensation claim from victims’ families.
More than 7,500 people have died from the cholera epidemic in Haiti since it started in late 2010. Hundreds of new cases are still being registered every week.
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After studying molecular data known as full genome sequencing on the strain of cholera found in Haiti - and that prevalent in Nepal in 2010 - Dr Lantagne said: “We now know that the strain of cholera in Haiti is an exact match for the strain of cholera in Nepal.”
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The 2011 UN report - co-signed by her - acknowledged that inadequate toilets in the Nepalese UN camp in the mountain town of Mirabalais could have leaked the cholera bacterium into the nearby Meye River which flows into the country’s main waterways.
But the report stressed that the outbreak “was not the fault” of any “group or individual”.
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Now, Dr Lantagne says the new genome data (in addition to other evidence) has changed her view since she had co-authored the UN report which effectively said no-one was to blame.