Outbreak of Acute Watery Diarrhoea in Ethiopia

Media reports up to 54 people have been hospitalized in an outbreak of acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) in Mekelle city, 783 km (about 486 miles) north of Addis Ababa. Local health officials say the outbreak is linked to poor food and personal hygiene practices.

Advice to Travellers

Prevention depends mainly upon practising good hand hygiene and effective food and water precautions.

• Hands should be washed thoroughly before eating or handling food, and always after using the toilet. Sanitising alcohol hand gel is an alternative when washing facilities are not available.

Diarrhoea may occur even in travellers who stick strictly to food and water precautions in many destinations the risk is determined by local food hygiene and sanitation practices.

In certain circumstances prophylactic medication or vaccination may be considered, see chemoprophylaxis.

For further advice see Traveller's Diarrhoea.