The risks below may be present in all parts of the country you are visiting.
DengueDengue is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dawn and dusk. It causes a flu-like illness, which can occasionally develop into a more serious life-threatening form of the disease. Serve dengue is rare in travellers.
The mosquitoes that transmit dengue are most abundant in towns, cities and surrounding areas.
Prevention
– All travellers should avoid mosquito bites particularly between dawn and dusk.
– There is no vaccination or medication to prevent dengue.
SchistosomiasisSchistosomiasis is a parasitic infection. Schistosomiasis larvae are released from infected freshwater snails and can penetrate intact human skin following contact with contaminated freshwater. Travellers may be exposed during activities such as wading, swimming, bathing or washing clothes in freshwater streams, lakes or rivers.
Schistosomiasis infection may cause no symptoms, but early symptoms can include a rash and itchy skin (‘swimmers itch’), fever, chills, cough, or muscle aches. If not treated, it can cause serious long term health problems such as intestinal or bladder disease
Prevention
– There is no vaccine or tablets to prevent Schistosomiasis. All travellers should avoid wading, swimming, or bathing in freshwater where possible. Swimming in chlorinated water or sea water is not a risk for Schistosomiasis.
– Topical application of insect repellent before exposure to water, or towel drying after accidental exposure to Schistosomiasis are not reliable in preventing infection.
– All travellers who may have been exposed to Schistosomiasis should have a medical assessment.
Zika VirusZika virus is a viral infection transmitted by mosquitoes which predominantly feed between dusk and dawn. A small number of cases of sexual transmission of ZIKV have also been reported. Most people infected with ZIKV have no symptoms. When symptoms do occur they are usually mild and short-lived.
Prevention
– All travellers should avoid mosquito bites particularly between dawn and dusk. There is no vaccination or medication to prevent ZIKV infection. Preventing sexual transmission. Most ZIKV are acquired via mosquito bites but cases of sexual transmission of ZIKV are occasionally reported.
– See further information for pregnant women, their partners and couples planning pregnancy.
Food and Water HygieneContaminated food and water can transmit a number of different infectious diseases such as Cholera, Hepatitis A, travellers’ Diarrhoea and Typhoid. Travellers ’Diarrhoea is particularly common in those visiting low-income countries.
Certain travellers need to take particular care as they are increased risk of complications. This includes older people, those with a weak immune system, young children and those taking medication to reduce stomach acid.
In countries with poor sanitation, it is not advisable to drink tap water or use it to clean teeth, unless it have been treated. Ice should also be avoided. Drinks serves in unopened, factory produced cans or bottles with intact seals generally can be considered safe.
Recently prepared, thoroughly cooked food that is served piping hot, fruit that can be peeled by the traveller (such as bananas and oranges), and pasteurised daisy produce such as yoghurts, milk and cheese are good options for travellers.
Further information
https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/53/travellers-diarrhoea https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/factsheet/44/food-and-water-hygiene 