Yaws and Strongyloidiasis

I am currently in the third and final day of my COS conference (“Close of Service” conference ), and trust there is much for me to write for you about the swirls of emotional everything that has been going on (and of course this year’s West Africa Invitational Softball Tournament - WAIST!), but first let me share with you all a copy of a letter our medical office gave to us yesterday to carry around with us for a bit after we leave Senegal (ahh rambly run-on sentence I apologize). Enjoy:

Peace Corps Office of Medical Services

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Amanda Susan Wybolt has resided in Senegal, West Africa for the past _____ months. Her immunizations have been kept up to date which included: Typhoid, Teatnus-Diptheria, Havrix A, Rabies pre-exposure, TOPV, Yellow Fever, MMR, Hepatitis B, and Meningitis A, C, Y, and 135. At the time of departure from Senegal, this volunteer was found to be free of disease. Any illness notes was subsequently treated.

In the event that the volunteer should present herself for treatment, please be aware that the following diseases are highly endemic in Senegal and that they have possibly been exposed to:

Malaria – falciparum, ovali, vivax

Tropical eosinophilia

Infectious hepatitis

Tuberculosis

Yaws

Hansen’s disease

Scistosomiasis hematobium

Schistosomiasis Mansonii

Typhoid Fever

Poliomyelitis

Yellow Fever

Intestinal parasites including:

Hookworm

Strongyloidiasis

Ascariasis

Tapeworms

Entameoba Histolytica

Giardia Lamblia

Balantidium coli

Additionaly, she has been taking Mefloquine 250mg weekly. She has been advised to take malaria prophylaxis for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria area and to commence a 14 day treatment with Primaquine beginning 2 weeks after departure from this area.

If you have any questions about her past medical history while being a Volunteer, please contact Peace Corps: Office of Medical Services: Post-Services Department.

Sincerely,

Peace Corps Medical Officer/Senegal