The Travel Doctor
Traveller's medical & vaccination centre
Health Alerts
Travel Doctor TMVC provides the latest health and travel alerts, including updates from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
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PNG Cholera Update 21st September
Monday, 21 September, 2009
THE quarantine centre at Angau Memorial Hospital in Lae has reported a total of 22 deaths from cholera.
The figure includes the casualties from Morobe province's outbreak areas of Wasu in Tewai-Siassi and Lae districts, and Goroka in Eastern Highlands province.
These figures were presented in the provincial outbreak task force meeting that was held yesterday at the provincial malaria office.
It was also revealed by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) staff during the meeting that West Taraka ( in Lae) is fast becoming a "hotspot".
Travellers to Morobe and adjacent Eastern Highlands provinces should consider being vaccinated against cholera. Cholera vaccination is provided by the oral vaccine, Dukoral, which requires 2 doses ( drinks) taken one week apart. This can provide good protection (approx 80%) for about 2 years. Vaccine is available at Travel Doctor-TMVC clinics.
