More than 144 connected with/or of the 500 VIP guests invited to Victor Vargas wedding party in Casa de Campo got cholera. Among the famous infected with cholera was Ricardo Harzoury(owner of Cap Cana). According to local media the government tried to hide this serious cholera outbreak from the public, and now the transparency with which the authorities are handling the cholera cases is put in doubt.
Update FEB 4, 2011 - Now 239 is infected according to this press release from Venezuela
The Casa de Campo cholera outbreak was first reported by Hugo Charvez because 400+ of the guests was from Venezuela and many returned to their country with cholera. Venezuela has not had cholera outbreaks for over 30 years.
The Dominican press took up the story in Spanish but still didn't mention Casa de Campo in their first articles. Later international media followed up and all the data came out. Below are links to articles about the cholera outbreak that almost doubled the reported cholera numbers from the Domincian Republic in a couple of days. So are the official numbers correct or are the tourist and health ministers manipulating the numbers not to scare toruists away?
Update FEB 08, 2011 - Fox News, Cholera Reaches New York from Casa de Campo wedding - 3 New Yorkers infected!
Minister of Public Health admitted knowing about the cases since last Monday but did not release the news to the public.
Cholera cases climb to 144 in Venezuela
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The number of cholera cases has jumped to 144 in Venezuela as more people tested positive after attending a wedding with contaminated food in the Dominican Republic, the country's health minister said...
BBC NEWS
Cholera alert reaches Venezuela via Dominican Republic
Six Cholera Cases In Massachusetts, No Immediate Danger Officials Say
The 37 individuals attending a wedding in the Dominican Republic were infected with cholera. Some of them reside in the United States, so health officials are cautious as to how many people may be infected.......
Hispanically Speaking News
111 Confirmed Cases of Cholera in Venezuela all from Lobster Served at Wedding in Dominican Republic
Two local tycoons also got cholera that sickened Venezuelans
Cholera this weekend in the posh resort Casa de Campo, La Romana, including the business leaders Ricardo Hazoury and Manuel Enrique Peynado.
The Washington Times
Cholera blamed on lobster at Dominican wedding
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