Travelers' Diarrhea

Four to six million deaths every year are caused by diarrhea. Dehydration from diarrhea is the second most common cause of infant deaths around the world. Repeated diarrhea in the first two years of life has been shown to affect growth, fitness, and school performance. Diarrhea is also an important health matter for travelers, especially those visiting developing countries. Diarrhea is the leading cause of illness among U.S. Forces overseas.

Access to clean water, better hygiene, and adequate nutrition are the best ways to prevent diarrhea. Since these goals are difficult to achieve, vaccines against the most common bacteria that cause diarrhea are the best hope. The leading causes of bacterial diarrhea are Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), Shigella, and Campylobacter.

To learn more about travelers' diarrhea and vaccines for enteric bacterial infections, please click here to visit the CIR website.

The CIR is conducting clinical trials for travelers' diarrhea vaccines. For more information about participating in these studies at the CIR, contact us and one of our study coordinators will be happy to help you.