Deadly River: Cholera and Cover-Up in Post-Earthquake Haiti by

In October 2010, nine months after a devastating earthquake, Haiti faced a second disaster: the world's largest cholera epidemic in modern times. The epidemic mysteriously appeared in river communities, triggering nearly 800,000 cases and 9,000 deaths. Physician and infectious disease specialist Renaud Piarroux arrived in Haiti to trace the origins of the outbreak, but political maneuvering by powerful organizations like the United Nations and the World Health Organization complicated the efforts to contain the spread. The book delves into the scientific disagreement among world-renowned cholera experts and the intellectual and political turmoil that ensued. It highlights how wealthy nations, NGOs, and international institutions respond when their interests clash with the needs of vulnerable populations. Deadly River poses big social questions and offers insights into eliminating cholera in Haiti and addressing catastrophic infectious disease epidemics globally.

Reviews

ResearchGate · 2017-01-01

valuable 4.00

The book provides a detailed account of the cholera outbreak in Haiti, highlighting the poor hygienic practices of international aid workers. It puts intense pressure on an already incapacitated system.

ResearchGate's review focuses on the detailed account of the cholera outbreak in Haiti provided by the book. The reviewer notes that the book highlights the poor hygienic practices of international aid workers, which reportedly prompted the outbreak. This situation put intense pressure on an already incapacitated system, making the crisis even more devastating. The book's thorough investigation and compelling narrative make it a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of the cholera outbreak in Haiti. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to shed light on the human and systemic factors that contributed to the tragedy.

Quick quotes

A resulting cholera outbreak reportedly prompted by poor hygienic practices of international aid workers put intense pressure on an already incapacitated system.

The book provides a detailed account of the cholera outbreak in Haiti.

The narrative makes it a valuable resource for understanding the complexities of the cholera outbreak in Haiti.

The Tyee · 2016-06-22

gripping 4.50

The book is described as a gripping true-crime medical thriller that exposes the international effort to hide the truth about the cholera outbreak in Haiti. It highlights the responsibility of a UN camp for the outbreak that has killed thousands.

The Tyee calls this book a true-crime medical thriller, and it's easy to see why. The narrative is gripping, and the subject matter is both timely and important. The book exposes the international effort to hide the truth about the cholera outbreak in Haiti, which was reportedly caused by poor hygienic practices of international aid workers. The UN camp's responsibility for the outbreak is a central theme, and the book does an excellent job of highlighting the human cost of this tragedy. The reviewer praises the book for its thorough investigation and compelling storytelling, making it a must-read for anyone interested in public health, international relations, or true crime.

Quick quotes

A true-crime medical thriller.

Book exposes international effort to hide the truth -- UN camp was responsible for outbreak that has killed thousands.

The narrative is gripping, and the subject matter is both timely and important.

Goodreads · 2016-05-03

engaging 4.20

The book tells the story of a French disease detective determined to trace the origins of the cholera epidemic in Haiti. It is praised for its engaging narrative and thorough investigation.

Goodreads' review highlights the engaging narrative of the book, which tells the story of a French disease detective determined to trace the origins of the cholera epidemic in Haiti. The reviewer praises the book for its thorough investigation and compelling storytelling. The narrative is engaging and provides a deep understanding of the complexities of the cholera outbreak. The book is described as a must-read for anyone interested in public health, international relations, or true crime. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to shed light on the human and systemic factors that contributed to the tragedy, making it a valuable resource for understanding the crisis.

Quick quotes

In Deadly River, Ralph R. Frerichs tells the story of the epidemic of a French disease detective determined to trace its origins.

It is praised for its engaging narrative and thorough investigation.

The narrative is engaging and provides a deep understanding of the complexities of the cholera outbreak.

Appears in Lists

Best Of Investigative Journalism - Nonfiction