An epidemic alert has been declared in the Dominican Republic because of the threat of an influx of refugees from Haiti

Ronald Skeves, director of the General Directorate of Epidemiology of the republic’s Ministry of Health, said that epidemiologists working on the border with Haiti were under particular pressure

The Dominican authorities have declared a nationwide epidemic alert because of the threat of an influx of refugees from Haiti where President Jovenel Moise was assassinated on July 7. Ronald Skeves, director of the General Directorate of Epidemiology of the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Health, said this on Wednesday.

“An alert has been issued for all epidemiologists in the country, not only at the border [with Haiti]”, –  Skeves was quoted by Diario Libre newspaper on its website. It is noted that medical personnel must be prepared to respond promptly to “any case” of detection of disease in the population.

 

“Historically, as soon as [socio-political] problems arise in a [neighbouring] sister republic, we have consequences. The most serious problems that have arisen recently are [the penetration from Haiti] of malaria and cholera, as well as diphtheria”, –  Skeves said.

The Ministry of Health spokesperson noted that epidemiologists working on the border with Haiti have a particular burden.

Haitian President Jovenel Moise was fatally wounded in an attack by unknown assailants on his residence on Tuesday night. The republic’s acting prime minister, Claude Joseph, appealed for calm, assuring that “the security situation in the country is under the control of the Haitian National Police and the Haitian armed forces”.

Following Moïse’s assassination, Dominican President Luis Abinader ordered a complete closure of the state border with Haiti. He also called an urgent meeting of the country’s military leadership to draw up an action plan to ensure security in the border areas.