Cholera is back in Haiti.
For the first time in three years, cases of acute gastrointestinal infection have been detected in the past few days.
At least one person has died from cholera this week, local authorities said.
Many people were taken to hospitals with symptoms.
Several suspected cases and deaths are being investigated.
Violent gangs hamper humanitarian aid
The fear of an epidemic spreading is growing.
The last time there was a cholera epidemic in Haiti was in 2010 after the severe earthquake, in which around 800,000 people fell ill and more than 10,000 died.
The situation is particularly volatile as violent gangs control several parts of the country and the capital and hinder humanitarian aid.
For weeks, gangs also blocked access to vital water utilities, forcing businesses and even hospitals to reduce hours.
Tanker trucks with drinking water are not allowed into all parts of the city.
This makes fighting cholera more difficult because the disease spreads primarily when people eat contaminated food or water.
The disease is very virulent and without treatment can be fatal within hours.
According to the Miami Herald, the Haitian government will ask the international community for military assistance.