Traveller's diarrhea among Austrian tourists in warm climate countries: I. Epidemiology

Travellers from temperate climates to the tropics of the Third World face a high risk of acquiring traveller's diarrhea. Epidemiology plays a major role in the exact description of this syndrome. This paper describes the epidemiology of traveller's diarrhea in 3696 Austrian tourists and the influence of various epidemiologic parameters on incidence is evaluated. Destination and season of travel influences attack rates, in particular in the sub-tropics. High (up to app. 60% incidence) and low risk (below 35% incidence) regions can be described, exhibiting risk differences of nearly 100%. Individual parameters, like age and body weight, can influence the risk in an evident manner and, or course, the duration of stay plays a major role. It is pointed out that accommodation and travel characteristics are important factors for risk evaluation, as well as dietary hygiene.