Gastroenteritis - amoebiasis

Gastroenteritis (gastro) can be problem for travellers to countries with poor sanitation. Amoebiasis, a type of gastro, is a cause of diarrhoea among travellers to developing countries. It is caused by a parasite known as Entamoeba histolytica that infects the bowel. Amoebiasis most commonly affects young to middle-aged adults.

Diarrhoea is one of the most common symptoms
In addition to diarrhoea (which may contain blood) signs and symptoms include:

• Stomach cramps
• Fever.

It may take months or years to become ill
After you are infected with amoebiasis it may take days, months or years before you become ill. However, the illness usually develops two to four weeks after infection.

How amoebiasis is spread
Amoebiasis occurs when the parasites are taken in by mouth. People with amoebiasis have Entamoeba hisolytica parasites in their faeces. The infection can spread when infected people do not dispose of their faeces in a sanitary manner or do not wash their hands properly after going to the toilet. Contaminated hands can then spread the parasites to food that may be eaten by other people and surfaces that may be touched by other people. Hands can also become contaminated when changing the nappies of an infected infant. Amoebiasis can also be spread by:

• Drinking contaminated water
• Eating contaminated raw vegetables and fruit
• Unprotected oral-anal sexual contact.

Carriers may have no symptoms
Some people carry the parasite in their faeces without having symptoms, but they can still pass the disease on to other people.

If you develop gastroenteritis
If you develop gastro after returning home from overseas, you should contact your doctor. The doctor will arrange for a stool (faeces) sample to be tested. If the results show that you have amoebiasis, the doctor will provide appropriate advice and treatment.

You may need to take time off work
You will need to take time off work until the symptoms stop if you are a:

• Food handler
• Childcare worker
• Health worker.

Children with amoebiasis must not attend childcare centres, kindergarten or school until symptoms stop.

Preventing the spread of amoebiasis
Around the home
To help prevent the spread of amoebiasis:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and hot running water for at least 10 seconds after using the toilet or changing a nappy.
• Clean bathrooms and toilets often. Pay particular attention to toilet seats and taps.
• Avoid sharing towels or face washers.

When preparing food
Food handlers should ensure:

• Hands are thoroughly washed before touching food. Use paper towel or an air dryer to dry hands.
• Raw vegetables are thoroughly washed and cooked.
• The internal temperature of reheated food reaches at least 75 degrees Celsius.
• Microwaves are used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

When travelling
When visiting developing countries you should:

• Avoid eating uncooked foods, particularly vegetables and fruit which cannot be peeled before eating.
• Drink only packaged drinks, boiled water or chlorinated and filtered water.
• Avoid drinks containing ice.
• Remember, ‘cook it, peel it or leave it’.