Cholera (cont.)
What should travelers do to avoid getting cholera?
The risk for cholera is very low for U.S. travelers visiting areas
with epidemic cholera. When simple precautions are observed,
contracting the disease is unlikely.
All travelers to areas where cholera has occurred should observe
the following recommendations:
- Drink only water that you have boiled or treated with chlorine or
iodine. Other safe beverages include tea and coffee made with boiled
water and carbonated, bottled beverages with no ice.
- Eat only foods that have been thoroughly cooked and are still
hot, or fruit that you have peeled yourself.
- Avoid undercooked or raw fish or shellfish, including ceviche.
- Make sure all vegetables are cooked, avoid salads.
- Avoid foods and beverages from street vendors.
- Do not bring perishable seafood back to the United States.
A simple rule of thumb is "Boil it, cook it, peel it, or forget
it."
Is a vaccine available to prevent cholera?
At the present time, the manufacture and sale of the only licensed cholera
vaccine in the United States (Wyeth-Ayerst) has been discontinued. It has not
been recommended for travelers because of the brief and incomplete immunity if
offers. No cholera vaccination requirements exist for entry or exit in any
country.
Two recently developed vaccines for cholera are licensed and available in
other countries (DukoralŪ, Biotec AB and MutacolŪ, Berna). Both vaccines appear
to provide a somewhat better immunity and fewer side-effects than the previously
available vaccine. However, neither of these two vaccines is recommended for
travelers nor are they available in the United States.
Can cholera be treated?
Cholera can be simply and successfully treated by immediate
replacement of the fluid and salts lost through diarrhea. Patients
can be treated with oral rehydration solution, a prepackaged mixture
of sugar and salts to be mixed with water and drunk in large amounts.
This solution is used throughout the world to treat diarrhea. Severe
cases also require intravenous fluid replacement. With prompt
rehydration, fewer than 1% of cholera patients die.
Antibiotics shorten the course and diminish the severity of the
illness, but they are not as important as rehydration. Persons who
develop severe diarrhea and vomiting in countries where cholera
occurs should seek medical attention promptly.
Next: Where can a traveler get information about cholera? »
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