The Facts on Heat-Labile Toxin Producing Enterotoxigenic
E. coli (LT-producing ETEC) Diarrhea
Just because you can’t pronounce it doesn’t mean you won’t get it
WHEN SHOULD I TAKE DUKORAL® ?
Start DUKORAL® at the latest*
Month Day
*for children between 2 and 6 taking DUKORAL® to prevent cholera, start at least 3 weeks before your departure
DUKORAL® must be started at least 2 weeks before you leave, unless this is a booster dose. Remember to leave enough time before your next trip.
WHERE CAN I GET DUKORAL® ?
What is LT-producing ETEC diarrhea?
Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) is one of the most common causes of diarrhea for travellers to many parts of the world. ETEC produces two toxins: a heat-stable toxin (ST) and/or a heat-labile toxin (LT).
Annually, ETEC is estimated to cause 220 million diarrheal episodes with about 75 million cases in children under the age of 5. These episodes are the cause of between 18,700 and 42,000 deaths in children younger than 5 years.
DUKORAL® confers protection specific to LT- producing ETEC. DUKORAL® has not been demonstrated to protect against ETEC strains that do not produce LT.
A study showed that those affected lose an average of 3.5 days of vacation time.
ETEC diarrhea can also spread very easily from person to person.
Overall, 60% of ETEC isolates produce a heat-labile toxin (LT) either LT alone (27%) or the combination of LT and heat-stable toxin (33%).
If you eat food or drink water or ice that is contaminated with LT-producing ETEC, you are at risk of getting LT-producing ETEC diarrhea.
YOUR TIME, YOUR MONEY,
YOUR LONG-AWAITED VACATION –
DON’T LET IT GO DOWN THE TOILET
A STUDY ASSESSED THE COST OF DIARRHEA DURING TRAVEL CAUSED BY ETEC*
The average cost of an episode of diarrhea during travel was estimated to be US $1,460:
an average of 3.5 days lost
X
more than $400 per day in travel, time and medical costs
= US $1,460
*Costs are presented in year 2007 US$.
What are the symptoms?
LT-producing ETEC diarrhea can last for a few days, keep you in bed, require medical treatment, and result in:
- Profuse watery diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Chills
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Bloating
These symptoms can occur 1–3 days after ingesting contaminated food or water.
Will I be at risk?
98% of travellers to high-risk areas consumed food or beverages that would put them at risk of diarrhea within the first 3 days of their trip.
If you’re travelling to a high-risk area, you should consider the threat of LT-producing ETEC diarrhea.
Incidence of heat-labile producing enterotoxigenic E. coli (LT-producing ETEC)
* LT-producing ETEC: ETEC strains expressing LT alone or both LT and ST enterotoxins together (proportion among collected ETEC isolates)
How can I protect myself?
You can help protect yourself with DUKORAL®. Before you travel to an at-risk area, ask your healthcare professional if DUKORAL® is right for you.
You should also:
1. Take care with your food and water choices
Boil, peel or cook your own food when possible
Avoid uncooked foods in restaurants, especially shellfish or salads
Drink bottled or boiled water
2. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating and after using toilet facilities
