Schistosomiasis, Upper Nile River | CDC EID

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Volume 16, Number 5–May 2010
Dispatch
Schistosomiasis among Recreational Users of Upper Nile River, Uganda, 2007
Oliver W. Morgan, Gary Brunette, Bryan K. Kapella, Isabel McAuliffe, Edward Katongole-Mbidde, Wenkai Li, Nina Marano, Sam Okware, Sonja J. Olsen, W. Evan Secor, Jordan W. Tappero, Patricia P. Wilkins, and Susan P. Montgomery
Author affiliations: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA (O.W. Morgan, G. Brunette, B.K. Kapella, I. McAuliffe, W. Li, N. Marano, S.J. Olsen, W.E. Secor, J.W. Tappero, P.P. Wilkins, S.P. Montgomery); Ugandan Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda (E. Katongole-Mbidde); and Ministry of Health, Kampala, Uganda (S. Okware)

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Abstract
After recreational exposure to river water in Uganda, 12 (17%) of 69 persons had evidence of schistosome infection. Eighteen percent self-medicated with praziquantel prophylaxis immediately after exposure, which was not appropriate. Travelers to schistosomiasis-endemic areas should consult a travel medicine physician.
Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection caused by schistosome flukes, affects 207 million persons worldwide, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa (1). Schistosomiasis has been reported among travelers (2–12); 3 outbreaks have been reported among white-water rafters on the Omo River in Ethiopia (2,7,10). During September–November 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of schistosome infection among travelers returning from white-water rafting on the Nile River, Jinja District, Uganda. Approximately 12,000 persons raft each year in Uganda, and local rafting companies believe that exposure to fast-moving white water during rafting and kayaking presents a low risk for schistosomiasis (C. McLeay, pers. comm.).

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Schistosomiasis, Upper Nile River | CDC EID

Suggested Citation for this Article
Morgan OW, Brunette G, Kapella BK, McAuliffe I, Katongole-Mbidde E, Li W, et al. Schistosomiasis among recreational users of upper Nile River, Uganda, 2007. Emerg Infect Dis [serial on the Internet]. 2010 May [date cited]. http://www.cdc.gov/EID/content/16/5/866.htm

DOI: 10.3201/eid1605.091740