The Travel Health and Vaccine Specialists

Health Alert


LEVEL 1 - PRACTICE USUAL PRECAUTIONS

Typhoid in Uganda

Updated April 21, 2015

What is the current situation?

More than 12,000 suspected cases of typhoid and 2 deaths have been reported in Uganda from January 1 through April 14, 2015. Cases have been reported in Kampala, Wakiso, and Mukono districts.

CDC recommends that travelers to Uganda(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/uganda?s_cid=ncezid-dgmq-travel-single-001) get typhoid vaccine before traveling and follow water and food precautions during their trip to help prevent typhoid.

What can travelers do to prevent typhoid fever?

Learn more about Typhoid(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/diseases/typhoid)

Get vaccinated for typhoid:

  • Ask your doctor or nurse about a typhoid vaccine. This could be pills or a shot, and your doctor will help you decide which one is best for you.
    • Typhoid vaccine is only 50%-80% effective, so you should still be careful about what you eat and drink. (See tips below.)

Eat safe foods:

Eat
  • Food that is cooked and served hot
  • Hard-cooked eggs
  • Fruits and vegetables you have washed in clean water or peeled yourself
  • Pasteurized dairy products
Don’t Eat
  • Food served at room temperature
  • Food from street vendors
  • Raw or soft-cooked (runny) eggs
  • Raw or undercooked (rare) meat or fish
  • Unwashed or unpeeled raw fruits and vegetables
  • Peelings from fruit or vegetables
  • Condiments (such as salsa) made with fresh ingredients
  • Salads
  • Unpasteurized dairy products
  • ”Bushmeat” (monkeys, bats, or other wild game)

Drink safe beverages:

Drink
Don’t Drink
  • Tap or well water
  • Ice made with tap or well water
  • Drinks made with tap or well water (such as reconstituted juice)
  • Flavored ice and popsicles
  • Unpasteurized milk
  • Fountain drinks

For more information see Food and Water Safety(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/food-water-safety) and the “Can I Eat This?(http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/apps-about) Travel App

Practice hygiene and cleanliness:

  • Wash your hands often.
  • If soap and water aren’t available, clean your hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
  • Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
  • Try to avoid close contact, such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with people who are sick.

If you feel sick and think you may have typhoid fever:

Traveler Information

Clinician Information