Haiti - travel, trade and cholera
7 December 2010 - Although it is unusual for tourists and short term visitors to be affected by cholera provided that they adhere to proper food safety and adequate hygiene, this disease continues to cause serious outbreaks in parts of the world where water supplies, sanitation, food safety, and hygiene are inadequate. WHO does not recommend any travel and trade restrictions in relation to the Haiti cholera outbreak. National authorities are encouraged to provide arriving travellers with information on cholera symptoms, hygienic preventive measures and how to seek for medical care in case of symptoms. Authorities are also encouraged to disseminate information about the cholera situation worldwide, and about current outbreaks in particular, to travel clinic, travel medicine networks, and other health care networks.
For more detailed information on issues relating to travel and trade you may consult the four WHO information and position documents below:
- Frequently asked questions and answers on cholera for travellers http://www.who.int/cholera/technical/FaqTravelersNov2010.pdf
- WHO statement relating to international travel and trade to and from countries experiencing outbreaks of cholera http://www.who.int/cholera/technical/prevention/choleratravelandtradeadvice231110.pdf
- Prevention and control of cholera outbreaks: WHO policy and recommendations http://www.who.int/cholera/technical/prevention/control/en/index.html
- Update on cholera situation and response in Haiti http://www.who.int/csr/don/2010_11_24/en/index.html and http://new.paho.org/disasters/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1423&Itemid=1