As officials seek answers and the origin of this latest health dilemma, some sources are indicating that the UN troops stationed on the island, as part of the UN Stabilisation Mission, are being blamed for the outbreak.

American scientists with the Centres for Disease Control have identified the particular strain of cholera which has emerged in Haiti, as matching strains commonly found in South Asia.

This has led to angry protests by Haitians against the presence of UN peacekeepers from Nepal, where cholera is endemic.

UN spokesman Vincenzo Pugliese Vocero says the troops should not be blamed.