Cholera In Africa
Cholera in Africa is a bacterial infection, which causes severe diarrhoea and can eventually lead to death through severe dehydration.
- The infection is spread through infected food and water, or from one infected person to another through the faecal-oral route.
- It is present in parts of the world where sanitation and hygiene are poor.
- Any hunter in areas where cholera is endemic is at risk. This includes parts of Africa.
- The best way to prevent any diseases causing diarrhoea is to be very careful with food and water while in an endemic area.
- Food products that could potentially put a traveller at risk and that should be avoided include raw fish and seafood products, and any food that has been washed in potentially unclean water.
- Proper cooking of food and adequate boiling of water will protect the traveller from contamination through food and water. Strict personal hygiene is also essential.
- Vaccination is not usually advised because of the brief and incomplete immunity that the vaccines confer.
Shaded areas have reported cholera cases
Related topics:
|