Cholera in Czech Republic (ex Tanzania)

30 May 2017

A media report of 25 May 2017, quoting health officials, is reporting 2 cases of cholera in two individuals recently returned from Tanzania. The last case of cholera in the Czech Republic was 15 years ago and was also contracted abroad.

Advice to travellers

Cholera is rare in travellers, mild cases may present as travellers' diarrhoea.

All travellers should be given advice on maintaining good food, water and hand hygiene, see traveller's diarrhoea, safe eating and drinking and water purification.

Travellers should be advised on basic steps in self - treating diarrhoea, particularly maintaining hydration.

When to consider vaccination

Vaccination should be considered under the following circumstances and is dependant on the individual risk assessment:

Volunteers/aid workers/medical personnel in disaster relief situations where cholera outbreaks likely.

Those travelling to work in slums/refugee camps, areas affected by natural disasters, or countries experiencing cholera outbreaks (see current notes on the country concerned).