Citation

Lilliestierna H, Britton S. Lancet 2006; 368(9536): 646.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/S0140-6736(06)69245-3

PMID

16920469

Abstract

Yearly, 3 to 5 million people are affected by cholera and 120 000 die. The World Health Organization provides advice to travellers with regard to this disease is as follows:

"Travellers are not at significant risk from cholera provided that simple precautions are taken to avoid potentially contaminated food and water. Currently available new vaccines are not necessary for most travellers: the sensible selection of clean drinking-water and food is more important than vaccination in preventing cholera, and even the vaccinated traveller should continue to be prudent about food and drink. Vaccination is advisable for those at increased risk of the disease, particularly emergency relief and health workers in refugee situations."

Why does WHO not have similar risk calculations for, say, car driving? Thus: "Travellers are not at significant risk from car accident injuries provided that simple precautions are taken to avoid potentially careless driving or riding with careless drivers. Currently available safety belts are not necessary for most travellers: the sensible selection of safe car drivers and driving on good roads in the daytime is more important than safety belts in preventing car accident injuries, and even the belted traveller should continue to be prudent about careful driving. Safety belts are advisable for those at increased risk of car accidents, particularly rally drivers and those who cannot avoid riding with drunk drivers."

We believe that all precautions that can reduce sickness and death should be recommended, and that no one should be dissuaded from vaccination (or seatbelt use).

Language: en