While 1,350 suspected cholera cases have been reported this year, 62 have occurred in the past month; one outbreak hit staff at a major hospital in Nairobi. But Nairobi is just one of five counties reporting cholera cases – the others are Kajiado, Narok, Machakos and Kiambu. Read more. In a separate UNICEF report on cholera in eastern and SE Africa, the county of Garissa in Kenya is mentioned as also having recently reported cholera infections. (The UNICEF post provides more details on the extensive outbreaks in Mozambique’s Beira, Dondo, Nhamatanda and Buzi districts following Cyclone Idai.) Of the two northern counties that have reported outbreaks of Kala azar, or visceral leishmaniasis, since January this year, Marsabit has been hardest hit. According to one news report, two to five new infections are confirmed each day and seven deaths have been recorded. Thirty-five cases were reported in Wajir county to Apr 18.
Advice for travellers
Cholera is usually spread in contaminated water. For most short-stay travellers, the risk of infection is low. Australians travelling to regions where a cholera outbreak is occurring should adhere to strict personal hygiene guidelines and choose food and beverages with care. Read more about cholera.
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.