More than 10,000 suspected cholera cases and 289 related deaths have been reported by the NCDC this year, with a sharp rise in new infections over the past month. The states of Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Zamfara, Bayelsa and Kaduna are most affected. Read more. The WHO has recently published an update on the situation in Somalia, noting that floods and the ongoing cholera outbreak have added to the strain placed on health services by the pandemic. The latest reports on suspected cholera cases came from Banadir, Bay and lower Shabelle regions. In other cholera news, the ECDC reports that the majority of suspected cholera infections reported since late April have been in Yemen and Bangladesh.
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.