ABSTRACT Infectious diarrheas (ID) are described as poverty related diseases. Acute diarrhea is generally defined as three or more soft to liquid stools a day, for less than 2 weeks. They are responsible for high mortality rates (3.7%), primarily in developing countries. Important risk factors for the development of ID include lack of hygiene, malnutrition, and the progression of co-morbidities (e.g., AIDS and measles). The emergence of multiresistant strains poses an extreme risk for the development of an ID epidemic. Among Western African countries, Côte d’Ivoire (CI) represents a specific example of a country with great potential to prevent infectious disease. Specifically, CI has a promising healthcare system for monitoring diseases and has implemented vaccination programs. However, military and political conflict in CI favors the spread of infectious disease, ID being among the most devastating. Compilation of the studies identifying common causes of ID would be extremely beneficial for development of treatment and prevention strategies. Therefore, the purpose of this exhaustive review is to evaluate the epidemiology of these diseases in CI, collect data on the involved pathogenic agents, and suggest simple and applicable intervention or prevention programs.
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