The highly infectious gastro-intestinal illness shigellosis has sickened at least 1,200 people and caused the deaths of five in Dolisie, in the western province of Niari. A health ministry update advised that the infection had also been detected in the coastal city of Pointe-Noire, with six cases and one fatality recorded, as well as in the department of Bouenza. The government has asked residents to employ enhanced personal hygiene measures to avoid faecal-oral transmission of la maladie des mains sales, ‘dirty hands disease’. In other news on shigella, the ECDC released an epidemiological update this week covering the ‘Spread of multidrug-resistant Shigella in EU/EEA among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men‘, reporting that more than 300 cases have been diagnosed in the EU and USA since April. Read more
Advice for travellers
Caused by Shigella bacteria, shigellosis can result in diarrhoea, fever, and stomach cramps starting a day or two after exposure via the faecal-oral route, including through contaminated food or sexual contact. Persons with mild infections usually recover quickly, but antibiotic treatment is recommended for patients with more severe symptoms. Read more.
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.