title: Low detection of Vibrio cholerae carriage in healthcare workers returning to 12 Latin American countries from Haiti.
abstract: SUMMARY This investigation was undertaken to characterize the prevalence of intestinal Vibrio cholerae in healthcare workers (HCWs) returning from Haiti due to the ongoing cholera epidemic. Eight hundred and fifty asymptomatic HCWs of the Cuban Medical Brigade, who planned to leave Haiti, were studied by laboratory screening of stool culture for V. cholerae. A very low percentage (0.23%) of toxigenic V. cholerae serogroup O1, serotype Ogawa was found. To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the largest reported screening study for V. cholerae infection in asymptomatic HCWs returning from a cholera-affected country. Cholera transmission to health personnel highlights a possible risk of transmitting cholera during mobilization of the population for emergency response. Aid workers are encouraged to take precautions to reduce their risk for acquiring cholera and special care should be taken by consuming safe water and food and practising regular hand washing.
authors.affiliation: Cuban Medical Brigade in Haiti,Port au Prince,Haiti.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Llanes
authors.affiliation: Cuban Medical Brigade in Haiti,Port au Prince,Haiti.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Somarriba
authors.affiliation: Cuban Medical Brigade in Haiti,Port au Prince,Haiti.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.affiliation: Cuban Medical Brigade in Haiti,Port au Prince,Haiti.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bardaji
authors.affiliation: Bacteriology Department,Institute Pedro Kourí (IPK),Havana,Cuba.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aguila
authors.affiliation: Dhaka Hospital,International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research,Dhaka,Bangladesh.
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Mazumder
mesh_terms: D058070:Asymptomatic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002771:Cholera / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D058872:Epidemics; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006205:Haiti / Q000453:epidemiology; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014195:Travel; D014734:Vibrio cholerae / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D041241:Vibrio cholerae O1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial
keywords: Vibrio cholerae