Following the outbreak of acute diarrhea in the Artibonite region of Haiti, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical teams - including doctors, nurses and logisticians - immediately traveled to the affected areas along the Artibonite River, between the cities of Saint-Marc and Mirebalais.

According to Haitian health authorities, at least 138 people have died and 1,500 cases of cholera have been confirmed.

In collaboration with national health authorities, MSF is providing human resources and technical and material support to health structures in Saint-Marc. Teams are involved in treating patients and implementing necessary measures to prevent the outbreak from spreading. MSF is sending additional medical materials and experienced staff to the affected areas.

MSF is not able to confirm either the cause or the exact bacterial type of the outbreak. The Artibonite region was not affected by the January 12, 2010 earthquake.