Ireland’s leading travel medicine group, TMB, says “The newer oral vaccines provide a good level of cover against infection but with limited supplies and having a significant cost they are frequently not available for those in greatest need.”
A strained global supply of cholera vaccines has temporarily led to a suspension of the standard two-dose vaccination regimen as cases rises worldwide, using instead a single-dose approach.
Although the temporary suspension of the two-dose strategy will result in a reduction and shortening of immunity, Dr Graham Fry, Founder and Group Medical Director of the Tropical Medical Bureau – Ireland’s leading travel medicine clinic group, says “this decision will allow more people to be vaccinated and provide them with protection in the short term, should the global cholera situation continue to worsen.”
Cholera vaccinations are currently in critically short supply. Over two-thirds of the total 36 million doses anticipated to be produced in 2022 have already been shipped for preventive and reactive campaigns and an additional 8 million doses were approved by the International Crisis Group for the second round for emergency vaccination in 4 countries. There is no short-term way to enhance output because vaccine manufacturers are now producing at their full capacity.
According to Dr Fry, “The newer oral vaccines provide a good level of cover against infection but with limited supplies and having a significant cost they are frequently not available for those in greatest need.”
Dr Fry continues, “For the typical European traveller, the risk of contracting Cholera is minimal once they follow the basic common-sense advice relating to maintaining personal hygiene and to increasing care with food and water. However, the current world vaccine shortage means that supplies are not available for those at lesser, risk in regions where the disease does not pose a serious threat, even if their travel plans may bring them to regions where outbreaks are occurring.”
It is estimated that between 1 to 4 million people are infected with cholera annually and, according to the WHO, the disease kills up to 143,000 people yearly in the world’s poorest nations where the population have limited access to clean water and have poor sanitation facilities. Current outbreaks are being fought in Haiti, Syria, Lebanon, Nigeria, Malawi, and Ethiopia, among other nations.
Symptoms of Cholera
For those infected with Cholera the symptoms can range from very mild and even asymptomatic, leaving the individual just as a carrier of the disease, to more severe cases where the individual can succumb to the illness through massive fluid loss within 4 to 6 hours unless rapid rehydration and antibiotics are available.
Protection from Cholera
With the news of the cholera vaccine shortage, it is important for those travelling to afflicted areas to familiarise themselves with ways in which to reduce the risk of picking up the disease. As with any disease, a conscious effort to improve overall personal hygiene will be beneficial in reducing the transmission of cholera. Regular washing of hands and sanitisation of environment is encouraged.
However, Cholera is a food and water-borne disease, and so extra caution is advised, as Dr Graham Fry, Founder and Group Medical Director of the Tropical Medical Bureau explains:
“Travellers can avoid contracting cholera by maintaining good personal hygiene and by being careful with food and water. Some foods, particularly shellfish, should be avoided wherever possible in at-risk destinations as they have higher chances of contamination due to their source.” he said.
Cholera is particularly transmissible through the consumption of dirty water. While the threshold of contaminated water required for Cholera to successfully enter the system is quite high, you are still encouraged to drink bottled pure water as a precaution. But again, some caution must be exercised when purchasing bottles water says Dr Fry.
“Sealed pure bottled water is always the best option. However, travellers should be aware that in some regions unscrupulous traders may refill bottles with tap water and then seal the lid with super glue to give the appearance that it has come straight from the factory and is above suspicion. If there is any doubt about the authenticity of any water available from a street vendor, then the traveller is advised to purchase ‘sparkling’ water as that almost always will have come straight from the factory and more likely to be pure.”
Travellers to any region affected by Cholera should not worry too much about transmission and be assured that once basic hygienic practice is carried out, their risk of picking up the disease is minimal.
Stay protected for your travels with TMB. Book your travel vaccinations at www.tmb.ie
ENDS
For comments / interview opportunities, please contact Ali Finnegan, ali@travelmedia.ie, +353 860492394
Dr Graham Fry – Founder and Group Medical Director
The Tropical Medical Bureau was founded in 1986 by Dr Graham Fry. As a leading Tropical Medical Consultant in the country, Dr Fry plays a pivotal role in the organisation, whether consulting with patients, lecturing to medical students in Trinity College or dealing with media focussed tropical issues on radio and television. His enormous medical experience and expertise in technology have combined to ensure that the TMB occupies national pride of place in tropical medical care.
About Tropical Medical Bureau Group
The Tropical Medical Bureau Group (encompassing Nomad Travel in the UK) is the leading travel medicine clinic group in Ireland, specialists in providing the best information and medical care available for the international traveller. Collectively, the TMB Group sees approximately 60,000 patients on an annual basis, ranging from the private holidaymaker to employees of commercial companies, and overseas volunteers to NGO’s and Government departments, all of whom benefit from the expertise of our highly experienced clinic staff.
Since it was founded in 1988, TMB has undergone major growth and expansion to currently encompass 27 clinics, 20 clinics in Ireland (four base clinics and 16 associate clinics). In 2016, TMB acquired Nomad Travel Clinics in the UK. Nomad Travel Clinics has 30 years experience in travel health, pharmacy & retail, throughout 7 clinics across the UK.
What distinguishes TMB is our vast experience and expertise, as well as our superb patient aftercare. All our patients have a detailed consultation with one of our specialised healthcare staff. This covers everything from food and water risks, mosquito avoidance, malaria and thrombosis, as well as risks associated from altitude exposure, and also Zika and COVID-19 risks, which may be associated with your trip. Following a detailed consultation, we then decide on which travel vaccines and malaria tablets are appropriate. Our specialised travel medicine software is constantly being updated with travel news, so if anything is happening in your destination that you need to be aware of, we’ll make sure you are.